Reese's Heir Accuses Hershey of Sneaky Recipe Changes
The grandson of the Reese's Peanut Butter Cups inventor claims Hershey faked a pledge to switch back to original chocolate recipes, alleging inferior ingredients were used instead.
Brad Reese, the 70-year-old grandson of HB Reese, the inventor of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, has accused the chocolate giant Hershey of faking a pledge to investors to switch back the recipes of its popular products – including KitKat – to the original milk and dark chocolate ones.
This confectionary-focused dust-up began in February when Reese accused the $42 billion Pennsylvania-based company of "quietly replacing" the ingredients – or "architecture" – in his grandfather's invention with cheaper "compound coatings" and "peanut-butter-style crèmes" that "weren't real peanut butter."
Reese claims Hershey has strayed from the original Reese's recipe, which used high-quality milk chocolate and real peanut butter, in favor of cheaper alternatives. He argues this has altered the iconic taste and texture that made Reese's Peanut Butter Cups a beloved American candy for generations.
"They're not the same," Reese said. "It's not the original recipe. They've changed it, and they're not being honest about it."
Hershey has long touted its commitment to using high-quality ingredients and maintaining the integrity of its classic confections. In 2023, the company even announced plans to return to original recipes for several of its most popular products, including Reese's and KitKat.
However, Reese contends this was merely a public relations stunt, and that Hershey has continued using inferior substitutes behind the scenes. He believes the company is prioritizing profits over quality and betraying the legacy of his grandfather's iconic creation.
"They're not living up to the standard that my grandfather set," Reese said. "He would be rolling in his grave to see what they've done to his peanut butter cups."
Hershey has not directly addressed Reese's allegations, but the company maintains that it is committed to using high-quality ingredients and providing consumers with the same great taste they've come to expect from its products. The battle over Reese's recipe could continue to simmer, as both sides fight to protect the legacy of this beloved American candy.
Source: The Guardian
