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The untold truth about Reese’s: A Delicious Mixture of Chocolate and Peanut Butter
Reese’s, the iconic combination of chocolate and peanut butter, holds a special place in the hearts of candy lovers everywhere. With its irresistible taste and variety of products, Reese’s has become a beloved brand. But beyond its delicious flavors, there are fascinating untold truths that add depth to this iconic candy. In this article, we explore the fascinating history, unique marketing strategies, and surprising facts behind Reese’s.
The third most popular candy in the U.S.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have secured their place as the third most popular candy in the United States, surpassed only by M&Ms and Hershey’s. According to YouGov, an astounding 81 percent of respondents expressed a fondness for Reese’s. This widespread adoration crosses generational lines, bringing Millennials and Boomers together over their shared love of this delicious treat.
Unlikely Beginnings: The Story of Harry Burnett Reese’s
Contrary to popular belief, Reese’s creator Harry Burnett Reese did not begin his career as a candy maker. Before embarking on his candy journey, Reese held a variety of jobs, including factory worker, farmer, and fish hatchery manager. It was while working as a dairy farmer for Milton Hershey that Reese found his calling. In 1919, a chance meeting resulted in him receiving a recipe for hard candy. Faced with initial failures, Reese persevered and eventually developed a range of chocolates with different centers, including the iconic peanut butter-filled cups.
A match made in heaven: Reese and Hershey
Harry Burnett Reese’s path intertwined with that of famed chocolate maker Milton Hershey. Reese, who always used fresh ingredients for his candies, including Hershey’s chocolate, began his journey on one of Hershey’s dairy farms in 1917. Years later, Reese asked Hershey for permission to start his own candy company. Hershey agreed, provided Reese purchased all of his chocolate from the Hershey Company. This partnership proved fruitful and led to the creation of Reese’s flagship product: the Peanut Butter Cup. In 1963, Hershey acquired Reese’s, further cementing their bond.
Overcoming Summer Challenges: The Canning Solution
During the scorching summer months, Reese’s faced a significant obstacle in their production process. Chocolate, their primary ingredient, would melt in the heat. However, the company needed to find a way to keep employees engaged and operations running. The solution came unexpectedly from an entirely different industry: canning. Employees turned to canning beans and tomatoes, doing every task by hand. This unforeseen turn of events highlights the ingenuity and determination that kept Reese’s afloat during difficult times.
Peanut Butter Cups: The Sweet Survivor
Reese’s began its candy journey with a variety of confections. But as circumstances evolved, the Peanut Butter Cup emerged as the lone survivor. During World War II, when sugar became scarce due to rationing, Reese’s had to make difficult choices about which candies to continue producing. The Peanut Butter Cup prevailed due to its lower sugar content compared to other treats. This practical decision not only ensured the company’s survival, but also solidified the Peanut Butter Cup’s position as the quintessential Reese’s product.
An Unconventional Advertising Campaign
Reese’s marketing strategies have played a pivotal role in establishing the brand’s identity. In a unique twist, the company launched a major advertising campaign in the 1970s that portrayed its combination of chocolate and peanut butter as a novel and potentially divisive concept. Despite the widespread popularity of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, the ads aimed to create excitement and intrigue by presenting the candy as a new and daring idea. This rebranding strategy successfully associated Reese’s with innovation and captured the public’s attention.
E.T. and the Rise of Reese’s Pieces
Reese’s Pieces, the candy-coated peanut butter pieces, owe their fame to an unexpected partnership with Universal Studios. Originally known as PBs, sales of these bite-sized candies declined shortly after their introduction. Everything changed when Universal Studios approached Hershey with an offer to use Reese’s Pieces in the iconic E.T. movie. Taking a gamble, Hershey agreed to provide significant marketing support for the film. The decision paid off handsomely, bringing Reese’s Pieces to new heights of popularity and cementing its place in candy history.
A Peanut Butter Percentage Revelation
While Reese’s is known for its harmonious blend of chocolate and peanut butter, not all of its products contain the same ratio of these key ingredients. An inquisitive Redditor took it upon himself to investigate the chocolate to peanut butter ratio in various Reese’s candies, and his findings revealed that Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have a higher chocolate to peanut butter ratio compared to other Reese’s products like Reese’s Pieces or Reese’s Sticks. This interesting discovery adds an extra layer of intrigue to the world of Reese’s and sparks conversations about personal preferences and the perfect balance between chocolate and peanut butter.
Bottom line
Reese’s has captured the hearts and taste buds of generations of candy lovers. From its humble beginnings to its status as a cultural icon, the brand’s journey is filled with fascinating stories. The story of Harry Burnett Reese, the partnership with Hershey, the ingenious solutions to manufacturing challenges, and the unconventional marketing campaigns all contribute to the untold truth of Reese’s. As we savor each bite of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, let us appreciate the rich history and remarkable ingenuity that have made this delicious treat a timeless favorite.
FAQS
Answer: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have gained immense popularity for their perfect combination of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter. The harmonious blend of flavors, along with the brand’s consistent quality and wide availability, has made them a favorite choice for candy lovers.
Who was Harry Burnett Reese, the creator of Reese’s Pieces?
Answer: Harry Burnett Reese, the creator of Reese’s, had a varied background before he became involved in candy making. He worked a variety of jobs, including factory worker, farmer, and fish hatchery manager, before finding his calling in the candy industry. Reese’s determination and innovation paved the way for the creation of the iconic Peanut Butter Cup.
How did Reese’s and Hershey’s work together?
Answer: Reese’s crossed paths with Milton Hershey, the famed chocolate maker. Reese, who originally worked on one of Hershey’s dairy farms, asked Hershey for permission to start his own candy company. Hershey agreed, on the condition that Reese purchase all of his chocolate from Hershey. This collaboration proved fruitful, leading to the iconic Peanut Butter Cup and eventually Hershey’s acquisition of Reese’s.
What role did advertising play in Reese’s success?
Answer: Reese’s used unconventional marketing strategies to establish its brand identity. Most notably, in the 1970s, the company launched an advertising campaign that presented the combination of chocolate and peanut butter as a bold and innovative concept. This approach created intrigue and captured the public’s attention, contributing to the candy’s continued success.
How did Reese’s Pieces become so popular?
Answer: Reese’s Pieces, the candy-coated peanut butter pieces, experienced a surge in popularity through a strategic partnership with Universal Studios. The decision to feature Reese’s Pieces in the iconic film “E.T.” proved to be a game changer. Hershey’s significant marketing support of the film propelled Reese’s Pieces to newfound fame and solidified its place in candy history.
Are all Reese’s products made with the same ratio of chocolate to peanut butter?
Answer: No, not all Reese’s products have the same chocolate to peanut butter ratio. An investigation by a curious Redditor revealed that Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have a higher chocolate to peanut butter ratio than other Reese’s products such as Reese’s Pieces or Reese’s Sticks. This variation adds an interesting dimension to the world of Reese’s and sparks discussions about individual preferences for the perfect balance of chocolate and peanut butter.