Hershey's Kisses

When somebody says the word "chocolate" to me, the first thing that comes to my mind is The Hershey Company's Kisses. The chocolate is bite size and is shaped like a flat-bottomed teardrop. It is wrapped in aluminum foil and has a strip of paper protruding at the top.


Here's a bit of history of these chocolates according to Wikipedia:

"Hershey's Kisses were introduced in 1907. While it's not known exactly how Kisses got their name, it is a popular theory that the candy was named for the sound or motion of the chocolate being deposited during the manufacturing process.

Another Pennsylvania chocolatier, the Wilbur Chocolate Company, had been making a similar product known as Wilbur Buds since 1893. The shape and size of those candies likely served as an inspiration for Hershey's Kisses.

Hershey's Kisses were originally wrapped by hand. Automated wrapping began in 1921. The same automatic wrapping process allowed for the insertion of the distinctive paper "plume," that the company used to guarantee that consumers were getting the genuine Hershey product, rather than an imitation. This thin paper strip was registered as a company trademark in 1924. Italian confectioner Perugina manufactures a small chocolate and hazelnut candy called Baci (Italian for Kisses). Baci are reputed to have been used as a clandestine method for delivering love notes between two confectioners, Giovanni Buitoni and Luisa Spagnoli. This may have served as the inspiration for the paper strip.

Hershey's Kisses have been produced continuously since 1907, except for the period of time between 1942 and 1949. Rationing of raw materials during World War II made the aluminum foil for the wrappers a scarce commodity.[1]"

In the US, there are several types or varieties of kisses:
* Milk Chocolate
* Milk Chocolate with almond
* Filled with Caramel
* HUGS (Milk Chocolate and white chocolate)
* Special Dark (Dark Chocolate)
* Pink Kisses (Milk Chocolate with Pink Wrappers in support of Breast Cancer Awareness)
* Cherry Cordial (Limited Edition)
* Filled with Peanut Butter
* Truffle

* Milk Chocolate with macadamia nuts (only in Hawaii)

* Crunchy Cookie (milk chocolate with oreo-like cookie bits)

* Candy Cane (peppermint flavoured white chocolate with red nonpareils)

Internationally, Hershey's Kisses are sold in these varieties:
* Hazelnut (May only be found in Asian markets)
* Green Tea (May only be found in Asian markets)
* Creamy Milk Chocolate (found in Europe)
* Creamy Milk Chocolate with Almonds (found in Europe)

Hershey's Kisses were also sold for a limited time in these varieties:
* New York Style Cheesecake
* Orange Creme
* Vanilla Creme
* Lemon Creme
* Coconut Creme
* TRIO (dark, milk and white chocolates in one Kiss)
* Chocolate Marshmallow
* Cookies 'n' Creme (has little nonpareil bits - not the same as the European ones, they have little Oreo bits)
* Vanilla Yogurt Creme (not to be confused with the Vanilla Creme)
* Chocolate Truffle
* Mint Truffle
* Special Dark Strawberry
* Champagne Truffle
* Neapolitan (chocolate, vanilla and strawberry flavors)
* Milk Chocolate Filled with Marshmallow Creme
* Caramel Apple
* Candy Corn
* Pumpkin Spice
* Hot Cocoa Creme
* Candy Cane (Peppermint)
* Chocolate Mint
* Dark Raspberry
* Milk Chocolate Filled with Strawberry Creme
* Chocolate Meltaway (Milk Chocolate with velvety smooth chocolate center)
* Irish Creme (milk chocolate filled with irish creme)
* Butter Creme
* Espresso

With Hershey's Kisses, you sure have lots of choices!