Hershey’s Kisses are the popularbite-sized pieces of chocolate have a distinctive shape, commonly described as flat-bottomed teardrops. Hershey Kisses were first introduced in 1907.
Hershey – Antique Automobile Club of America Museum By Klaus Nahr from Germany – CC BY-SA 2.0,
It is believed that the candy was named Kisses because of the sound and motion made by machine while depositing the chocolate. At first, the Hershey Kisses were wrapped by hand, but in 1921, a machine was made so the Kisses would be wrapped automatically.
Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolates filled with caramel. CC BY-SA 3.0,
Old Hershey Kisses ad By Victorgrigas – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,
This is also when the plume was added. In 1924, Milton S. Hershey received a registered trademark for the plume. During 1942, production of Hershey Kisses was briefly interrupted due to the rationing of aluminum foil. Instead, the machines were used to create chocolate paste for the soldiers in World War II. In 1976, the Kiss received a registered trademark for the foil wrapper. Kisses are one of the most popular brands of candies in the US. In 1989, the chocolate drops were the 5th most popular chocolate brand in the United States, spawning sales that topped $400 million. More than 60 million Hershey’s Kisses chocolates are produced each day at the company’s two factories. Today’s Kisses brand chocolates use Hershey’s original milk chocolate formula.
Original milk chocolate Hershey’s Kisses with Cherry Cordial Creme Filled Kisses By IvoShandor – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,
Hershey’s Kisses chocolates were originally wrapped in silver-colored foil, and were only available in this single color for decades. 1962 marked the first year that Kisses chocolates were available in different colored foil wrappers: red, green, and silver-wrapped candies were manufactured to coincide with the Christmas season. In 1968, pastel blue, pink, and green wrappers were introduced for Easter, and in 1986, Valentine’s Day-themed wrappers of red and silver were introduced. Xs and Os have also appeared on pink and red wrappers as well as little red hearts on silver wrappers for Valentine’s Day. “Fall Harvest” colors were introduced in 1991.
