20 Sweet Facts About Hershey’s Chocolate
Ever wonder what makes Hershey’s chocolate so special?
Humble beginnings in Pennsylvania grew into one of the world’s most beloved treats, powered by innovation, generosity, and pure deliciousness.
Discover surprising secrets, fun trivia, and heartwarming tales that deepen appreciation for every indulgent bite.
1. Milton Hershey
Before becoming a chocolate legend, Milton Hershey actually failed several times in the candy business. His determination never wavered, though.
Born in 1857, he eventually found success with caramels before switching to chocolate. His vision transformed an entire industry and created jobs for thousands of people.
What set him apart was his belief in giving back to communities and workers.
2. First Chocolate Bar
Picture this: back in 1900, chocolate was considered a luxury only wealthy people could afford. Milton changed everything by creating an affordable milk chocolate bar.
He perfected a mass-production method that kept costs low without sacrificing taste. Suddenly, ordinary families could enjoy sweet treats previously reserved for the rich.
That first bar launched a chocolate revolution across America.
3. Iconic Hershey’s Kiss
Unwrapping a Kiss is half the fun, right? Introduced in 1907, nobody knows exactly who named them Kisses.
Some say the manufacturing machine made a kissing sound during production. Others believe the shape resembled a kiss itself. Whatever the origin, that distinctive foil-wrapped teardrop became instantly recognizable worldwide.
Today, you can find Kisses in dozens of flavors and colors!
4. Billion Kisses
How many Kisses get made every single day? Try wrapping your head around this number: over 70 million!
That means billions are produced annually to satisfy chocolate cravings around the globe. If you lined up one day’s worth of Kisses, they would stretch for miles and miles.
Talk about serious sweet tooth satisfaction on an industrial scale!
5. Caramel Origins
Before chocolate conquered his heart, Milton Hershey built his fortune selling caramels. His Lancaster Caramel Company became wildly successful throughout the 1890s.
He sold that entire business for a million dollars, which was enormous money back then. But he kept the chocolate manufacturing rights because he saw the future clearly.
6. Chocolate Town
Imagine living where streetlights look like Hershey’s Kisses and the air sometimes smells like chocolate! Hershey, Pennsylvania is exactly that magical place.
Milton built an entire town for his factory workers, complete with homes, schools, and parks. Street names include Chocolate Avenue and Cocoa Avenue, naturally.
7. War Rations
During World War II, Hershey’s created special chocolate bars for soldiers fighting overseas. Known as Ration D bars, they were designed to withstand extreme temperatures without melting.
They weren’t meant to taste amazing, just provide quick energy and boost morale. Soldiers carried them through deserts, jungles, and frozen battlefields.
Chocolate literally helped win the war!
8. Hershey Museum
Want to become a chocolate expert? Visit the Hershey Story Museum where interactive exhibits tell the complete Hershey tale.
You can even create your own chocolate bar in hands-on workshops. Vintage advertisements, original equipment, and Milton’s personal items fill the galleries with history and nostalgia.
9. Classic Recipe
What gives Hershey’s that distinctive taste you recognize instantly? The recipe has remained remarkably consistent for over a century.
Fresh milk, cocoa, sugar, and a special process create that signature flavor millions adore. Some describe it as slightly tangy compared to European chocolates.
Love it or debate it, that unique taste defines American chocolate for generations worldwide.
10. Chocolate Currency
Long before Hershey’s existed, cocoa beans served as actual money in Aztec and Mayan cultures! Warriors and nobles traded them for goods and services.
A rabbit might cost ten beans while a slave cost one hundred. Counterfeiting even happened, with people creating fake beans from clay.
11. Beyond Bars
When you grab a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup or Kit Kat bar, you’re actually buying Hershey’s products! The company owns or distributes dozens of popular candy brands.
Twizzlers, Jolly Ranchers, Almond Joy, and York Peppermint Patties all belong to the Hershey family. That’s some serious candy empire building over the decades.
12. Hershey Trust
Childless himself, Milton and his wife Catherine founded a school for orphaned boys in 1909. Milton eventually donated his entire fortune to support it.
Today, the Milton Hershey School provides free education, housing, and care for thousands of students from low-income families. The Hershey Trust controls the company to fund this mission.
13. Global Reach
Open a pantry in Japan, Mexico, or India, and you might spot familiar brown wrappers! Hershey’s products reach over 90 countries across six continents.
International factories produce region-specific flavors and products tailored to local tastes. What started in small-town Pennsylvania now satisfies chocolate cravings from Tokyo to São Paulo.
That’s one impressive chocolate footprint across our planet!
14. Famous Brands
Recognizing brand names is one thing, but realizing they’re all connected is another! Hershey’s portfolio includes some of the most iconic candy brands ever created.
Partnerships with international companies bring global favorites like Kit Kat to American shelves. Acquisitions over the years built a candy powerhouse that dominates store aisles.
Brand loyalty runs deep when quality stays consistent across decades.
15. Model Community
Unlike typical industrial towns of the early 1900s, Hershey built something revolutionary. Workers lived in comfortable homes with electricity, indoor plumbing, and yards.
Community centers, sports facilities, and gardens promoted healthy, happy living. Milton believed prosperous, content employees created better products and stronger communities.
His progressive vision influenced corporate responsibility movements that followed generations later.
16. Hersheypark Fun
What started as a simple leisure park for factory workers transformed into a massive amusement destination! Hersheypark now features over 70 rides and attractions.
Roller coasters named after candy bars thrill millions of visitors annually. You can ride the Reese’s Cupfusion or brave the Candymonium coaster.
It’s basically a chocolate lover’s theme park dream come wonderfully, deliciously true!
17. Cocoa Craft
Turning bitter cocoa beans into smooth, sweet chocolate requires serious skill and science. Roasting, grinding, conching, and tempering all play crucial roles.
Hershey’s perfected these techniques over decades of experimentation and refinement. Temperature control and timing must be precise to achieve that perfect texture and flavor.
18. Holiday Treats
Halloween just wouldn’t be the same without those miniature Hershey bars filling trick-or-treat bags, right? Holiday-themed chocolates have become seasonal traditions.
Red and green Kisses appear every December while pastel-wrapped treats signal Easter’s arrival. Valentine’s Day brings heart-shaped boxes filled with assorted favorites.
19. Ethical Sourcing
Where does cocoa come from, and who grows it? Hershey’s works directly with cocoa farming communities to ensure fair wages and sustainable practices.
Programs support education, healthcare, and environmental protection in cocoa-growing regions. Certifications guarantee ethical sourcing standards are met throughout the supply chain.
20. Global Icon
Ask anyone worldwide to name an American chocolate brand, and Hershey’s tops the list almost every time. It represents more than just candy.
The brand symbolizes American innovation, entrepreneurship, and generosity across generations. From movie theater snacks to s’mores around campfires, Hershey’s defines countless memories.
Some brands sell products while others become cultural treasures and beloved traditions.
