Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are one of the most popular candy treats in the world. They are a combination of smooth milk chocolate and creamy peanut butter that melts in your mouth. But where did this delicious treat come from?
The history of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups dates back to the early 1900s when H.B. Reese started his candy business in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He began by making a variety of candies, including chocolate-covered caramels. However, it wasn’t until 1928 that he created the peanut butter cup, which would become his most successful product.
Today, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are sold in over 50 countries worldwide and are a favorite of both kids and adults. The candy has a fascinating history that has contributed to its popularity. In the next few paragraphs, we will explore the history of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and how it became the iconic candy that it is today.
Origins of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups is a popular candy that is loved by many people around the world. The candy was first created by H.B. Reese in the 1920s. Reese was an employee of The Hershey Company, and he started making candy in the basement of his Hershey home.
Reese created Peanut Butter Cups as part of an assortment of candies in 1928, and the first generation of chocolate and peanut butter fans made the candy his bestselling item. The official product name was “Penny Cups” because they could be purchased for one cent. Reese had originally worked at a Hershey dairy farm, and from the start, he used Hershey chocolate in his confections.
By the mid-1920s, Reese had achieved enough success to expand several times, and in 1935, he began offering his Peanut Butter Cups as a stand-alone item. The company really took off in the 1930s. In 1942, because of both the candy’s success and the financial strains of WWII, Reese discontinued the other chocolates and focused solely on the peanut butter cup.
Today, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups is one of the most popular candies in the world, and it is enjoyed by people of all ages. The candy has been a constant presence in the American candy market for nearly a century, and it continues to be a favorite among candy lovers everywhere.
The Inventor: Harry Burnett Reese
Harry Burnett Reese was an American inventor and businessman who created one of the most popular candy brands in the United States, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Born on May 24, 1879, in Frosty Hill, Pennsylvania, Reese was the son of a farmer and grew up in a large family of 16 children.
Reese worked for Hershey’s Chocolate Company as a dairy farmer and shipping foreman, where he learned about the chocolate-making process. In 1923, he left Hershey’s to start his own candy business, the H.B. Reese Candy Company. Reese initially produced various candy bars, but it was not until 1928 that he created the now-famous Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups were an instant hit, and the candy quickly became the company’s best-selling product. The candy’s success was due in part to Reese’s use of high-quality ingredients, including Hershey’s chocolate and fresh peanut butter. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have since become a staple candy in the United States and are enjoyed by millions of people worldwide.
Overall, Harry Burnett Reese’s innovative spirit and dedication to quality ingredients have made Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups one of the most beloved candy brands in the world.
Early Production and Distribution
In 1923, H.B. Reese established the H.B. Reese Candy Company in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Reese, who had previously worked at a Hershey dairy farm, used Hershey chocolate in his confections from the start. Initially, Reese produced a variety of candies, including the famous Peanut Butter Cups.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups were first sold as part of an assortment of candies in 1928. The candy quickly became the company’s best-selling item, and Reese began offering them as a stand-alone item in 1935. The official product name was “Penny Cups” because they could be purchased for one cent.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups were initially sold in department stores. However, they soon gained popularity and were sold in a variety of retail outlets, including grocery stores and drugstores. Today, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are sold worldwide and are one of the most recognizable candy brands.
Reese’s and The Hershey Company
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups became so popular that the Hershey Company took notice. In 1963, the Hershey Company acquired the H.B. Reese Candy Company for $23.5 million. The acquisition was a smart move for Hershey, as Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups became one of its best-selling products.
The Hershey Company continued to expand the Reese’s product line, introducing new products such as Reese’s Pieces and Reese’s Sticks. Today, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups remain one of the most popular candies in the world.
Despite being owned by the Hershey Company, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are still made with the same recipe and ingredients that H.B. Reese used when he first created them. This consistency has helped to maintain the candy’s popularity over the years.
Overall, the partnership between Reese’s and the Hershey Company has been a successful one. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups continue to be a favorite among candy lovers, and the Hershey Company has been able to capitalize on the candy’s popularity to become one of the largest confectionery companies in the world.
Evolution of Reese’s Products
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have been a fan favorite for almost a century. Over the years, the Hershey Company has introduced several new products under the Reese’s brand.
Introduction of Reese’s Pieces
In 1978, the Hershey Company introduced Reese’s Pieces, a candy consisting of small, colorful, candy-coated peanut butter-flavored pieces. It was initially marketed as a competitor to M&M’s, but it gained popularity after being featured in the movie “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” Reese’s Pieces have since become a staple in the Reese’s product line.
Reese’s Miniatures
In 1984, the Hershey Company introduced Reese’s Miniatures, which are miniature versions of the classic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. The Miniatures come in a variety of flavors, including milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and peanut butter.
Reese’s Puffs Cereal
In 1994, the Hershey Company teamed up with General Mills to create Reese’s Puffs cereal. The cereal consists of small, chocolate-flavored corn puffs with a peanut butter coating. It has since become a popular breakfast cereal among children and adults.
Reese’s Sticks
In 1998, the Hershey Company introduced Reese’s Sticks, a candy bar consisting of wafer sticks filled with peanut butter and covered in milk chocolate. The candy bar has become a popular snack among Reese’s fans.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups may be the most popular product in the Reese’s line, but the Hershey Company has successfully expanded the brand with the introduction of new products over the years.
Cultural Impact
Reese’s in Pop Culture
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have become an iconic candy in American pop culture. They have been featured in numerous movies, TV shows, and commercials. One of the most famous commercials featuring Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups is the 1970s ad campaign that introduced the tagline “Two great tastes that taste great together.” The ad showed a person eating chocolate and another person eating peanut butter, and they accidentally bump into each other, creating the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have also been featured in movies such as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, where the titular character uses them to lure Elliott into his spaceship. In the movie, the candy became a symbol of friendship and companionship between Elliott and E.T.
Reese’s and Halloween
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have become a staple of Halloween candy. In fact, according to a survey conducted by the National Confectioners Association, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are the most popular Halloween candy in the United States. The candy is so popular that Reese’s has even created special Halloween-themed packaging for their Peanut Butter Cups.
Many people also use Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups as a Halloween decoration. They use them to create Halloween-themed desserts such as Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup spiders or witches’ brooms. The candy has become so popular during Halloween that it has become synonymous with the holiday.
Overall, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have had a significant cultural impact in the United States. They have become a symbol of friendship, companionship, and Halloween. The candy’s popularity has only continued to grow, and it shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Current State and Future of Reese’s
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are currently one of the most popular candy brands in the United States, with a loyal following of fans who love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter. Reese’s has continued to innovate and expand its product line to meet the changing tastes of consumers.
In 2021, Reese’s introduced several new products, including Reese’s Big Cup with Potato Chips and Reese’s Big Cup Stuffed with Reese’s Puffs cereal, which helped the brand reach another record year. Reese’s also responded to fans asking for caramel creation by unveiling a new peanut butter cup with caramel called Caramel Big Cup.
Reese’s is also looking to the future, with plans to release an organic version of the classic chocolate and peanut butter treat in the near future. The organic version will contain 95 percent organic ingredients, according to Delish. Reese’s is committed to using sustainable ingredients and reducing its environmental impact, which is a growing concern for many consumers.
Overall, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups continue to be a beloved candy brand that is constantly evolving and innovating to meet the changing tastes of consumers. With new products and a commitment to sustainability, Reese’s is well-positioned to continue its success for years to come.