Brad Reese, the grandson of the inventor of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, recently experienced a chocolate shock. After trying the Valentine’s Day Reese’s Mini Hearts, he felt a wave of disappointment. “It didn’t taste like milk chocolate. It tasted cheap,” he told NBC News. He noticed that while the package proudly advertised “peanut butter,” it didn’t mention milk chocolate.
Instead, these hearts contained a chocolate-flavored coating that, according to him, wasn’t even real chocolate. This revelation pushed Brad to dive deeper into Hershey’s product line, discovering the same issue with Reese’s Mini Eggs and Reese’s Pieces.
Hershey’s claims that the classic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are still made as they always have been. However, spokesperson Allison Mason admitted that as new products are introduced, the company occasionally makes changes to recipes. These adjustments are described as necessary for innovation, but Brad feels they dilute the quality of the beloved treat his grandfather created in 1928.
He took his frustrations public by posting a letter to Hershey on LinkedIn, urging the company to reconsider its recipe choices. His plea quickly gained traction online, further highlighting the tension between classic recipes and modern adaptations. Despite this, he reports that no one from Hershey has contacted him about his concerns.
Interestingly, candy companies are under increasing pressure to adapt their recipes due to rising cocoa prices. From July 2022 to February 2024, cocoa prices surged by 136%, driven by climate change affecting harvests in West Africa. Nonetheless, recent reports indicate that cocoa prices have dropped by 70%, leaving consumers wondering why there’s still a shift away from traditional chocolate.
This change has sparked discussions around food quality. Brad pointed out, “People want to trust that what they are buying is authentic.”
For Brad, this isn’t just about candy. It’s personal. Diagnosed with cancer in 2015, he discovered a deep passion for celebrating his family’s history, especially the legacy of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. “I really care about this, so it’s painful to see my grandfather’s legacy tarnished,” he said.
As a result, he’s currently stepping back from his daily habit of enjoying a peanut butter cup. For now, he seeks to protect the sweet legacy that millions have come to love.
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