Hershey’s Kisses

Hershey’s Kisses debuted on the candy scene in 1907. While it's not known exactly how Kisses got their name, one of the popular theories is that the candy was named for the sound or motion of the chocolate being deposited during the manufacturing process. While at first, the candies were individually hand-wrapped, the introduction of automation in the 1920s changed procedure forever.

This wrapping process has remained basically unchanged since it was developed in 1921. Current wrapping machines can package nearly 1,300 Kisses per minute. The familiar flag or plume that singles Hershey’s Kisses out was added to the packaging at this time as well then subsequently established as a registered trademark by company founder, Milton S. Hershey in 1924.

The shape and style of Hershey’s Kisses have not much in the last 80 years but this does not mean that there have not been small variations over the years. Many of these variations were produced in the early 1900s. Each one utilized different chocolate formulas and was offered in addition to the standard Hershey’s milk chocolate flavor.

Yet none of these variants have survived to the present. In fact, none has been produced since 1931. For those old enough to recall them or who might be a bit of the candy historian, names like Sweethearts, Silvertops, and Silverpoints may bring back fond memories.

There has been only one time in the entire history of their production that Hershey’s Kisses have been interrupted. The bite-size chocolates were not produced from 1942 to 1949 due to the rationing of silver foil during and after World War II. During the war, the ingredient mixing units in the Kisses molding department were utilized for tempering military ration bar chocolate paste. It is estimated that paste for more than 3 billion ration units was produced during this period.

Later, in 1962, the Kisses were wrapped in colored foil (other than silver) for the first time. Red, green and silver chocolates were available during the Christmas season in addition to the year-round silver-wrapped ones. In 1968, Kisses brand chocolates were introduced in pastel blue, pink and green foil for the Easter holiday. Hershey also introduced Valentine's Kisses with red and silver foil in 1986.

In September 1990, there was a major addition to the Hershey’s franchise when Kisses with almonds were successfully introduced. Then only three years later another addition to the Kisses line called Hershey’s Hugs which were mini Hershey’s Kisses combined with white chocolate.

There have been other limited edition flavor combinations as the candy company has sought to keep an edge with the competition. Yet, nothing can really compete with the enduring place that the Hershey’s Kiss has made for itself for nearly a hundred years.

Jelly Belly

The origin of the Jelly Belly jelly bean begins back in 1976 when a Los Angeles candy distributor approached the candymakers at Jelly Belly (what was formerly known as Herman Goelitz Candy Company) with an idea for a new kind of jelly bean that would be marketed as the jelly bean with all-natural flavors.

Creating these "true-to-life" flavors seemed to be the next logical step in the candy’s evolution. In time a recipe was found for a new kind of jelly bean, which emphasized an intense flavor throughout and used natural ingredients for flavoring whenever possible.

Thus, in 1976, the first eight Jelly Belly flavors were arrived: Very Cherry, Lemon, Tangerine, Cream Soda, Green Apple, Root Beer, Grape and Licorice. Since that time, these original eight have remained the most popular flavors in the Jelly Belly line.

The moment that Jelly Belly beans hit the markets, they were a resounding success. People who tasted them were taken aback by the great flavor. A few years later, it is worthy to note that Jelly Belly became the favorite candy of former President Ronald Reagan, who eventually made the beans a staple in both the Oval Office and on Air Force One. More amazing is the fact that a new flavor was created per Reagan’s request.

Blueberry flavored Jelly Belly became part of the President’s party favors. (He wanted to be able to serve red, white, and blue jelly beans.) Consequently, diplomats and world leaders have clamored to have Jelly Belly beans. If Jelly Belly had not already ensured itself a place in history, then adding the fact that it was the first jelly bean in outer space, should close the case completely. Today, you can sample fifty amazing flavors of Jelly Belly beans.

After all this writing about jelly beans, did you know Jelly Belly Candy Company also makes over a hundred other candies?

Jelly Belly is a consummate candymaker creating top quality candies the same rich quality as Jelly Belly beans and making special confections for Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween and Christmas.

You'll find these candies in many of the same gourmet shops and specialty stores where you find Jelly Belly beans.

Mexican Candy

The import and sales of Mexican candy in the United States has been a steadily increasing market for a number of years now with figures now suggesting that this is an almost $170 million dollar business. This fact should certainly make some of us take up and notice.

The major contributor of this increase has been the demand for these types of treats by the Latino population on the west coast who are looking for tasty snacks that remind them of their own cultural tastes and provide their children with an opportunity to sample some of their childhood candy favorites. Beyond this, the emergence of candy markets across the U.S. that specialize in ethic foods, have begun to spread sales numbers from coast to coast.

But what is different about Mexican candy? What explains it growing popularity?

Eduardo Rodríguez, the founder of Dulcelandia, a Chicago based candy store chain that sells a variety of Mexican candy made following statement: “The American candy market is a great market, but it lacks spice.”

What is meant by spice, you may ask? Many of these foreign confections with their combination sweet and sour with the tangy flavor of chili powder challenge many Americans sensibilities when it comes to what is considered candy.

But, for some the uniqueness of Mexican candy has been a welcome change in taste from the regular run of candies to be found at the local supermarket. Despite the fact that most of the buyers of these candies are Latino emigrants, a growing number of Anglo and African Americans are intrigued by the different flavors that Mexican candy has to offer.

Many of the candies are uniquely shaped, taking the form of soda bottles, ears of corn, cucumbers, and roasted chicken to name a few. Most of them are made with all natural fruits: peach, pineapple, mango, tamarind, guava, papaya, and cantaloupe. These are further enhanced by the inclusion of chili powder coatings.

So how about a bag of chili-coated gummies? Or, perhaps, you would prefer a mango-and-chili-flavored lollipop? Again, these may seem like odd combinations, but it wouldn’t hurt you to try them? You may be in for a pleasant surprise.