Hershey's: the chocolate that made indulgence affordable across America since 1900!

Who's behind Hershey's?

The Hershey's story is one of a man who failed several times before he made it. Milton Hershey opened his first candy shop in Philadelphia in his twenties: bankrupt within six years. He tried again in New York: another flop. But he'd learned one essential lesson — fresh milk makes the best candy. Back in Pennsylvania, he founded the Lancaster Caramel Company and finally struck it rich with his melt-in-your-mouth caramels, at nearly 40.

The turning point? In 1893, at the Chicago World's Fair, he discovered a German chocolate-making machine. Love at first sight. He sold his caramel company for a million dollars in 1900 and jumped into chocolate with a revolutionary idea: "a fortune awaits the man who can mass-produce chocolate at a price everyone can afford." Bet won. The five-cent Hershey's bar turned chocolate — until then a luxury — into a treat every American could enjoy.

Did you know Milton Hershey built an entire town around his factory?

In 1905, Hershey built his new factory in the middle of Pennsylvania's dairy farms — and around it, he literally created a town: Hershey. With housing, a bank, a department store, an amusement park and, above all, a school for orphans. Having no children of their own, Milton and his wife Catherine left most of their fortune to that school. To this day, every Kiss you eat helps fund the Milton Hershey School. Not bad for a chocolate, right? Legend even has it that this chocolate town inspired Roald Dahl's famous novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The Hershey's Kiss, an icon since 1907

The Kiss is that little teardrop of chocolate wrapped in foil with its famous little paper ribbon sticking out — the "plume," patented in 1924 to prove the product was the real deal. Launched in 1907, it has become one of the most recognizable chocolates in the world. At MYAM you'll find Kisses in all their forms: classic Milk Chocolate, Almonds, Special Dark, plus a whole host of festive editions — Christmas Cane, Candy Cane, Mint Truffle, Hot Cocoa and even a Harry Potter edition for the fans.

Hershey's bars and chocolates

Beyond the Kisses, Hershey's is a whole universe of bars and chocolates. The classic Milk Chocolate bar and its almond version, in XL or Giant formats for serious cravings. The Nuggets (Milk Chocolate or Special Dark with almonds), the Miniatures for snacking, the Symphony, the Hugs, and the Cookies 'n' Creme line — a real best-seller pairing white chocolate with crunchy cookie bits.

You'll also find the legendary bars of the Hershey's galaxy here: 5th Avenue, Mr. Goodbar (chocolate-peanut), PayDay (peanut-caramel), Whatchamacallit, Mounds, Zagnut, Skor, Whoppers (the malted balls) and Milk Duds (coated caramels). And for those watching their sugar, a Zero Sugar line (chocolate, chocolate-caramel, chips).

Hershey's for baking

Hershey's is also the American baker's best friend. The unsweetened natural Cocoa, the Chips (Milk Chocolate, Cinnamon, Semi-Sweet, Zero Sugar) for cookies, and the famous dessert syrups — Chocolate, Caramel, Strawberry — that turn a simple glass of milk or scoop of ice cream into a diner-style dessert.

A fan's tip: real American-style hot chocolate

Forget the powder packets. For a hot chocolate worthy of a US diner: heat 1 cup of milk, add 2 spoons of Hershey's Cocoa, 1 spoon of sugar and a pinch of salt. Whisk well. Off the heat, drop in a few Hershey's Kisses and let them melt. Top with mini marshmallows. American comfort guaranteed, especially in winter.

Where to find Hershey's?

It's hard to get hold of the full Hershey's range in regular stores. My American Market, your online American grocery store, hunts down the best of the brand for you, from Kisses to syrups. And while you're at it, check out the other chocolates in the shop: Reese's, Kit Kat, Butterfinger...