Hershey’s chocolate is a staple in the sweet treats world. From Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups to a simple chocolate bar, they are a go-to. But recently, fans around the world have been noticing that their favorite peanut butter cup tastes different.
In 1894, Milton S. Hershey established the beloved Hershey Company. In 1928, H.B. Reese created the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup with two simple ingredients, Hershey’s chocolate and peanut butter. Although Reese worked for Hershey as a dairyman, he crafted the Reese’s recipe in the basement of his home before creating the H.B. Reese Candy Company. In 1963, Hershey’s acquired the company. Over the years, Hershey’s has added plenty of new sweet treats to their lineup. But, Reese’s have remained a cult classic. The second the ingredients were changed, the fans knew.
So, what’s happening with Reese’s?
H.B. Reese’s grandson, Brad Reese, accused the company of hurting the Reese’s brand to make cheaper products in a LinkedIn post on Valentine’s Day of this year. His accusation came after eating a Valentine’s Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup in the shape of a heart that had a “peanut butter crème” ingredient instead of real peanut butter.
“REESE’S identity is being rewritten, not by storytellers, but by formulation decisions that replace Milk Chocolate with compound coatings and Peanut Butter with peanut‑butter‑style crèmes across multiple REESE’S products,” he wrote in the post.
Brad Reese is not the only one to notice this change. In this Reddit post from two years ago, a user asks, “Is it just me or does Reese’s peanut butter cups taste more bitter now?” The replies are filled with people agreeing that the taste is off. Furthermore, fans on TikTok have been posting about this change for years.
What was Hershey’s response to Brad Reese?
Hershey’s responded to the allegations of changing their recipe, saying the treat is still made with peanut butter and milk chocolate. But, as the brand has grown, they have made slight adjustments to the candy as a whole. Rising cocoa prices led the brand to use less chocolate on bars to save money. The company also admitted that when crafting the holiday varieties, the recipe is altered.
So, do Reese’s taste different?
As someone who always reaches for the candy on the shelf when I go to the store, I don’t think so. I believe that you can still taste the same milky chocolate and creamy peanut butter like they always have. In another Reddit post referencing Brad Reese’s claims, fans say they could taste that Reese’s were different. One person wrote, “I knew it! I’ve eaten too many of them in my life to notice they taste not only different but outright bad.” Another wrote, “This is why I have turned to eating peanut butter straight out of the jar with a spoon.”
Even if the recipe did not change, your tastebuds do. Some flavors you may have liked as a child, you may not be able to stand now. But I also know that the ingredient change ruined the delicacy for many.