Shocking Secrets You Never Know About Hershey’s

1. It has a product in it that is present in vomit

Image source/ HuffPostThere are those who love Hershey's, and some who think it has a strange taste. And it's all due to a devise product called butyric acid which is found in parmesan, yogurt, and butter. It is also present in vomit... and it's this acid that some people hate the taste of.

2. People think Hersheypark is haunted

Image source/ TheUSdailyHersheypark...the famous Hershey's amusement park. There have been lots of accounts over the years of paranormal activity and sightings which had led to people believing that Hersheypark is haunted. In fact, it's now become quite a well-known rumour.

3. They made a chocolate bar for soldiers in WWII

Image source/ blogspotMilton Hershey was asked to create a special product by Army Captain Paul Logan during WWII. The purpose of the bar was to feed soldiers. It was named the D ration bar and it was extremely successful and it was used by the army for the intended purpose.

4. And it was made tasteless on purpose

 Image source/ The Toronto StarThe specification given for the creation of the bar was that it was heavy in calories and nutrients. It did not need to be of any kind of taste, it just had to feed soldiers in times of need and be able to survive heat without spoiling. It became a part of a soldier's emergency pack and rations.

5. It DOES have a secret lab

Image source/ historiaSo, the rumours are tur, Hershey's really DO have a secret lab. not too far from Hersheypark. There is a Hershey's product development lab, where they come up with and test out new products. Nobody apart from those who work there are allowed to visit the secret lab.

6. Milton Hershey almost sailed on the Titanic

Image source/ thetitanicnewsMilton Hershey was supposed to be on the Titanic. He actually had tickets booked along with his wife, for a first-class cabin on the ship. But there were last minute plans which meant that the Hershey's could no longer go and had to cancel last minute - probably also saving their lives.

7. Milton moved around a LOT as a child

Image source/ CBS newsMilton moved around a lot as a child and rarely had a continuous home where the family made roots. This is because his father continually looked for the newest scheme to get rich without having to do so much. And so, he took the family from place to place.

8. He reached 4th grade

Image source/ WikipediaAs a result of this Milton Hershey only attended school till 4th grade, because he was uprooted so much, he never got to attend a school for a long period of time which interfered with his schooling. But, despite having no qualifications he was determined to make something of himself.

9. There was a company before Hersheys

Image source/ CBS newsHershey's was not the first and only company that Hershey set up. He was not an instant success story by any means, he had to persevere and come back from failure. He first set up the Lancaster Caramel Company. But, after testing out caramel he decided to focus on chocolate instead.

10. And it failed twice

Image source/ Huff PostIt failed twice... Hershey tried to set up his own company on two different occasions, both failing before he decided to try again with Hershey's. And, for Milton it truly was the third time lucky. It seemed that he had struck gold with his third company and used his previous experience to guide him.

11. He set up a school

Image source/ wikiHershey set up a school using his money from the company. He had found out that he and his wife would never have children and so he set up a school, for male, white orphans. The school later accepted children of various cultures as well as females too.

12. The school gained a lot of negative press

Image source/ yaootaHershey's school came under fire later on due to the revelation that some claimed the school basically made the children work in dairy farms for the company. As well as this, it was claimed that some of the members of the board of trust were using funds for themselves.

13. Hershey's kisses were copied

Image source/ Hershey'sworldHershey's Kisses are not as original as you may think and did not come from Hershey himself. In fact, Wilbur's buds came first. They were packed as individual tear drop shaped chocolates too. Until Hershey's came along with the same design and actually started to outsell them.

14. He built many things

Image source/ TelegraphHershey built an entire town for his workers. He also built many things, including a stadium and a hospital as well as a hotel. These provisions were all well priced for his employees, who were very well looked after under his employment. These amenities exist today.

15. Hershey had control of rationed chocolate in World War II

Image source/ blogspotAs we know, in World War II Hershey played an important role when it came to chocolate. But not only did he make the ration bar, but he also had control of rationed chocolate in World War II. Hershey's was the single most successful chocolate company back then.

16. Hershey's went into business with Mars

Image source/ areveviweraHersheys went into business with competitor Mars, when the son (Bruce Murrie) of Hershey’s president William Bruce went into business with Mars. The result - they created M&Ms after Mars and Murrie. We can't imagine these two competitors ever being in business together again.

17. They bought out Murrie's share

Image source/ EbayThen... Mars bought Hershey's out of their share of M&Ms. But Mars still decided to keep the M standing for Murrie due to the long-established brand name. And ironically, they became one of the biggest competitors of Hersheys. So, they are now completely a Mars product.

18. 80 million Hershey's Kisses are made daily

Image source/ WalmartCan you believe it...8- million Hershey's kisses are made DAILY. N ow that's a lot of kisses. And this is just one of their products. But Hershey's kisses re one of the most popular. In fact, it is between these and M&M’s for taking the top spot when it comes to the most popular chocolate in America.

19. They own a LOT of companies

 Image source/ RedditHershey's own a lot of companies. Even more than you'd probably have initially thought. The list includes, Dagoba Organic Chocolate, Breath Savers and Bubble Yum, Good & Plenty, Ice Breakers as well as Jolly Rancher. The list continues; Mauna Loa, Scharffen Berger, Rolo, and Krave Jerky.

20. They own the third most eaten candy in America too

Image source/ PinterestNot only do they draw in first place for the first spot of most eaten candy in America. They also take the third spot too. This place goes to, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Which, undeniably deserve it because this creation was unique extremely moreish.

21. He passed away in 1945

Image source/ CBS newsMilton Hershey passed away in 1945, the last year of the Second World War. But his legacy continued. And, his company grew, and grew....and grew. So, although Milton Hershey himself may have gone, he's very much still a big part of American culture today.

22. The Hershey Company employ 13,000 employees

Image source/ blogspotThe Hershey Company and everything that entails are a big employer. Because of the gigantic scale of the company, that means they need a lot of workers. And so, they created a lot of jobs. They employ around 13,000 people and they sell in around 60 countries all over the globe.

23. Before Hersheys, chocolate was for the rich

Image source/ BBCBefore Milton Hershey came along and created Hersheys, chocolate was something for the rich. It was very expensive, which meant that normal people could not afford chocolate as a treat. That all changed with Hershey's who produced chocolate themselves and brought the price right down.

24. Hershey's younger sister died when she was 4

Image source/ The Daily MailHershey may have had a very wealthy later life, but that does not mean that his life was without struggle. In fact, as we know he was moved from place to place. But more tragically, when he was a child, his younger sister died. She was just 4 years old at the time.

25. He went bankrupt at one point

Image source/ dailynewsAnd some of his hardships continued to later life. As we already know, he had two failed businesses. But these brought his to bankruptcy. That being said, Milton Hershey did not let this stop him and he then went in to be one of the richest men in America at the time.

26. And his family shunned him

Image source/ wikiAfter Milton Hershey went bankrupt, it was not just his money that he lost. A few of his family members shunned him and practically disowned him as they had all invested in his failed business and lost out on significant money. His aunt continued to stay by his side and lent him a loan.

27. Hershey built a town for his workers

Image source/ The TelegraphHershey built an ENITRE town for his workers. When he had set up his company in Pennsylvania, he needed a lot of workers. These workers all had to move for their jobs. Hershey was a good employer and made them a full town with resources that were extremely fairly priced so that his workers could have a good lifestyle quality.

28. Hershey once failed to win his trademark for Hershey's Kisses

Image source/ retrocandyHershey's kisses were not always trademarked, and he actually initially failed to trademark them. And, if you thought they were the first chocolate kisses around you'd be wrong. Chocolate kisses were actually a generic name for this kind of chocolate, and so there were many around. So, the name wasn't original at all. He only won the trademark when kisses became so associated with Hersheys.

29. Hershey chemist Samuel Hinkle named Mr Goodbar accidentally

Image source/ PinterestSo, you may have wondered where the name 'Mr Goodbar' came from. It was actually totally accidental. The Hershey chemist named Samuel Hinkle was talking to Milton Hershey about the bar and said, 'That's a good bar'. Milton Hershey, who was now hard of hearing thought that he said Mr. Goodbar. And so, the name was born.

30. One of his bars are now used by NASA

Image source/ HuffPostNot only was Hersheys bar used in the war. But the same bar is now used, the bar which earned him a military medal for the war. The tropical bar, which is very similar to the ration D bar, are now used by NASA for similar reasons - to survive extreme conditions and provide calories and nutrients.

31. It was a while before Hershey was even successful in candy

image source: insider.com

Hershey's attempts to build a chocolate brand were a prime example of 'if at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again'! The road to success definitely wasn't an easy - or quick - one for him. After he'd decided that he wanted a future in candy-making following his apprenticeship, wasn't even close to successful before he went on to launch a business at age 19. He'd tried to open candy businesses in New Orleans, Chicago and New York - and failed - before he eventually went on to open Lancaster Caramel Company.

32. He was actually inspired by some chocolate-making equipment

image source: insider.com

Hershey paid a visit to the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, where he then came face to face with some German chocolate-making equipment. He was so blown away by the equipment that it paved the way for his whole future! After seeing the equipment, he purchased his own - which is what led to the Lancaster Caramel Company - before he later sold the company to concentrate fully on chocolate alone. He went through a couple of different states when thinking about a location - including New York and New Jersey - but eventually decided on Pennsylvania.

33. The inventor of Reese's Cups has a connection to Hershey

image source: insider.com

As we mentioned, Reese's Cups is another huge American candy giant that is in the top most popular candies - but did you know that the inventor of Reese's Cups has a connection to the mind behind Hershey's chocolate? He'd actually worked on one of the dairy farms owned by Hershey himself. Harry Burnett Reese had a job on one of the farms in 1917, and it was after a few years of working here that he moved up the ladder to work directly with the chocolate factory side of things. He then went on to be inspired with his own brand of chocolate.

34. The park was originally built just for picnics and boat rides

image source: insider.com

Hershey's park is now a well-known theme park and amusement attraction, but it wasn't always intended to be that way. Originally, the idea for Hershey Park was to have a place simply for people to sit and have picnics, and maybe go out boating. Its main focus after opening was to be a place for the Hershey employees specifically to have a place for leisure activities and relaxing. But as these things go, over the years more and more things were added, like rollercoasters and other rides, to the point that it became a full blown amusement park.

35. You can get a Hershey's chocolate spa treatment

image source: insider.com

You might have heard of being covered in mud for a spa treatment, but how about being covered in Hershey's chocolate? There is actually a chocolate spa, which you can find at the official Hotel Hershey! Where else? As long as you can resist licking or eating it and have it for a spa treatment instead, you can make an appointment at this place of pure relaxation and chocolatey bliss. The treatments offered there include skin treatments and facials - all of which include chocolate, of course. We don't know if chocolate to eat is included in the price, but let's hope so!

36. There was once a Hershey's air park for flying planes

image source: insider.com

Not content with simply Hershey's Park with rollercoasting and picnics, there was also once a Hershey's air park, with the purpose of allowing guests to be able to fly planes there. The park was in full operation from 1944 to 1981, located right across from the Hershey's amusement park, so that guests could easily walk between the two and visit. The air park included a place for planes to be stored, for guests to be taken on aerial site-seeing tours, and to also have their very own flying lessons! Perfect if you didn't want the amusement park happening across the road!

37. There are a ton of Hershey's emporiums around the world

image source: insider.com

The Hershey's theme park in Pennsylvania is of course the most well known park, but not everybody lives in Pennsylvania and can't easily travel to it. But not to worry - there are actually a ton of Hershey's emporiums and parks around the world, so hopefully you'll be able to find one close to where you are. The most famous location has to be the Hershey's Chocolate World shop in Time's Square, New York, but you can also find chocolate world locations outside of this state, including Las Vegas and Niagara Falls! Hershey's chocolate no matter where you go.

38. And it has a lot of international locations

image source: insider.com

And if that isn't enough for you if you're not based in the US, there are also plenty of international locations, too, including a chocolate world in Singapore. Some more good news is also the fact that Hershey's chocolate isn't exclusive to being sold in US stores, as you can buy Hershey's chocolate products in international locations and stores, too - just in case you need your chocolate fix when traveling or living elsewhere! Some of the international locations include China, Brazil and Canada, where Hershey's has both offices and chocolate plants.

39. Think you know chocolate? Think again! Did you know chocolate was once used as currency?

image source: reddit.com

These days, chocolate is a delicious snack that we think of as a treat for either ourselves, or the ones we love. Once upon a time, it actually had so much more value than that - specifically, monetary value, because chocolate was once used as actual currency. During the Mayan times, it was not so much chocolate bars, but more the cacao bean itself, which was used for transactions. This is because the beans were so in-demand that they had a high value on them. Even more surprising, there was actually counterfeit money... in the form of fake beans made out of clay!

40. It's actually Europe and not the US that accounts for the most chocolate consumption!

image source: reddit.com

Yes, even with delicious Hershey's and Reese's Cups, the US actually doesn't provide the biggest percentage of chocolate consumption in the world - that honor actually lies with Europe. Half of the world's total chocolate consumption is thanks to Europe - with the biggest countries consuming chocolate being Switzerland and Germany. With Switzerland being absolute giants when it comes to delicious Swiss chocolate, it's no surprise, really. The other big country with the most chocolate consumption in Europe is Ireland!

41. The chocolate chip cookie was a happy accident

image source: reddit.com

Chocolate chip cookies are staple chocolate snacks - what would we do without them? You'd think that because of their delicious flavor and crunch, they were a carefully put together recipe and thought-process at first - but nope, they happened by complete accident. Ruth Graves Wakefield was the mind behind the cookie - and the accident - back in the 1930s, when she was serving up food in the Toll House Inn. She was trying to make butter cookies but ended up accidentally making chocolate chip cookies when the chocolate pieces stayed intact!

42. 10 Hershey bars need about a year's worth of beans

image source: reddit.com

A lot of beans go into making one Hershey's bar! To have enough of these beans to make a batch of 10 Hershey's bars, you'd have to wait a whole year. A whole year's worth of beans! Even just making one Hershey's chocolate bar requires a lot of work, which is why so many beans are needed. The fact that you can't make more than 10 a year either is down to the fact that the cacao tree actually only produces a certain amount of beans a year - and this is capped at the amount of beans needed to only make 10 Hershey bars in total.

43. The word 'chocolate' comes from Aztec

image source: nbcnews.com

You might have enjoyed eating chocolate all this time without putting much thought into where the word 'chocolate' actually comes from. We don't blame you, chocolate is distracting! The Aztec word for chocolate is actually 'Xocolatl', which translates as 'bitter water'. You might be thinking that doesn't sound anything like the delicious, milky and sweet chocolate you have stored in your cupboard, but that's because chocolate originally had a very different flavor. Back in the times when sugar wasn't as easily available as it is today, most chocolate tasted very bitter instead of sweet!

44. Chocolate gives you a better buzz than kissing

image source: reddit.com

We know that eating chocolate can make you feel better because it provides endorphins which give your mood a nice boost. We also know some people say chocolate is an aphrodiastic because of these happy feels. Studies have actually shown that chocolate can give you more of a 'buzz' than kissing would. So you'll definitely be wanting a Hershey's Kiss instead of an actual one! Go figure. Now you don't need to feel guilty about eating that entire box of chocolate by yourself because your Tinder date ghosted you.

45. The Hershey's kiss also gets it name from the sound the machine makes

image source: reddit.com

We know that Hershey's kisses are shaped more like teardrops than anything that might resemble a kiss - what would that even look like, a pair of lips? - so you might have been wondering where the name Hershey's Kiss came from. Actually, the name 'Kiss' comes from the sound the Hershey's chocolate machine makes when it produces one of these blobs of chocolate during the manufacturing process. Now we're just imagining a factory full of machines going 'MWAH!' on repeat. We hope it's at least a nice kissing noise and not a sloppy one.

46. The inventor of the chocolate chip cookie had some understandable demands

image source: reddit.com

Remember when we were talking about the accidental invention of chocolate chip cookies at the Toll House Inn? Well, as we know, Ruth Wakefield went on to have the biggest and best cookie recipe in the history of delicious things - so how come Nestle has it now? Well, Ruth Wakefield agreed to sell the Toll House recipe to Nestle, under one condition. And it wasn't for all the money in the world... it was actually for all the chocolate in the world! In a move Willy Wonka would be proud of, she asked for a lifetime of chocolate in exchange.

47. There are four different types of chocolate you need to know about

image source: reddit.com

You're counting them off on your fingers now, aren't you? So we obviously know about dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate. So what's this mysterious fourth one? Well, blond chocolate is actually a thing! And you might be thinking that would look exactly like white chocolate. It's actually more what you'd think of as a 'caramel blonde' hair color. This recipe was made by a pastry chef by accident - that's becoming a pattern in the chocolate world! - and the chocolate was then named after the color it had turned out to be.

48. White chocolate? It's not even chocolate

image source: reddit.com

While we say blond is the fourth kind of chocolate, technically white chocolate isn't really chocolate - or so they say. If you want to get very technical, it isn't chocolate, but we're going to keep thinking of it as chocolate anyway! Because it's delicious. The reason it's not technically chocolate is that white chocolate doesn't have any cocoa solids or cocoa powder in it (the stuff that gives milk and dark that brown chocolate color). Instead, it just has cocoa butter - which tastes a bit naff on its own, so it's then mixed with sugar, vanilla and milk fat to make "white chocolate".

49. The original 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' was actually a big Quaker Oats ploy

image source: abcnews.com

You'd be forgiven for thinking that the original Chocolate Factory movie was just a huge effort to get you to buy chocolate - or at the very least just to adapt Roald Dahl's book into a successful movie. But did you ever wonder why the movie was called Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and not Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, like the book? This was all down to the company, Quaker Oats. The film was actually financially backed by them, because the oats company wanted to market their product - which was a new Wonka chocolate bar!

50. The $687 chocolate bar

image source: bbc.com

Chocolate can get expensive, as we know - and it only lasts two minutes when you're hungry - but did you know what the most expensive chocolate bar in history has been sold at? What was considered the most valuable chocolate bar in the world was sold for 687 dollars, and the reason it was worth so much was that the Cadbury's chocolate bar was 100 years old (at the time of its selling in 2001) and had been traced back to Captain Robert Scott's first Discovery expedition where he travelled to the Antarctic! So that's a delicious piece of history right there.