Last Updated: November 2, 2021
Top American Chocolate Brands (Hershey’s and…)
Move over Europe, America has chocolate brands that are recognized around the world. But they may have borrowed some ideas from you.
Switzerland started making chocolate in the 17th century. The idea caught on, and today Germany, Belgium., Italy, and Poland produce much of the world’s chocolate products.
European immigrants brought the love of chocolate and the craft of making it to the United States. The result is major chocolate factories and a 1971 American fantasy film about a little boy who won a golden ticket to a chocolate factory.
All of it is very odd since the coveted cacao bean isn’t native to either continent, and there aren’t any processing factories either. Anyway, here are the top American Chocolate brands. Go through your kids’ Halloween candy(if there’s any left) and see which ones you can find.
Hershey’s
Let’s start with the USA’s oldest and most famous top brand, Hersey’s. It’s also one of the largest manufacturers of chocolate in the world. It all began when Milton Hersey, the grandfather of American chocolate, attended the World’s Colombian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. He became fascinated with a chocolate-making machine operated by a gentleman from Germany. After making a deal, the gentleman sold the machine to Mr. Hershey to avoid having to ship it back home.
By 1894, Mr. Hershey had created what is now known as the first American candy bar, but it wasn’t until 1890 when the famous Milk Chocolate Bar came about. After the huge success of the Milk Chocolate Bar, Hersey began manufacturing Hersey’s Kisses in 1906. They were originally called Silvertops.
Milton Hershey also founded the town of Hershey, Pennsylvania to provide homes for workers in the chocolate factory he opened. The town known as Derry Church changed its name to Hershey. Prior to the closing of the factory in 2012, the whole town smelled of chocolate. In 1906, Mr. Hershey opened a park for the leisure of his employees. Today, Hersheypark is a theme park known as the “sweetest place in the world.” It includes rides, a zoo, Hershey Gardens, and more.
The company changed its name to Hershey Chocolate USA in 1988. Over the years, the company has acquired several other chocolate companies. Today, you’ll find Hershey Bars in many varieties from Almond Bars to Dark Chocolate Bars, and Kisses in a variety of flavors.
Ghirardelli
Although Hershey is the most famous American chocolate brand, it’s not the oldest. Dominique Ghirardelli was born in Italy and moved to California in 1849. In 1852 he established the Ghirardelli Brand in a factory set up in what is now Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. Today, Ghirardelli Square is a famous San Francisco attraction.
In 1865, a worker at Ghirardelli’s factory discovered a new way of making chocolate. The method involved hanging a bag of ground cacao beans in a warm room so that the Cocoa butter would drip off and leave a residue. This residue could be ground into chocolate. Called the Broma process, the method is still used today.
Ghirardelli Chocolate is a popular brand of chocolate among Americans, and much gratitude is owed to its Italian founder. The Swiss company Lindt & Sprüngli has owned the brand since 1998.
Mars Bars
The Mars company was founded in 1911 by Frank and Ethel Mars in Tacoma, Washington. Chocolate Mars Bars first appeared in 1932. The Mars family had an equestrian farm in Tennesse called the Milky Way, a horse named Mars, and another named Snickers. Sound familiar?
Snickers and Milky Way bars are famous around the world. American Mars Bars come in almond, chocolate, and nougat. Other versions include Dark and Light, Gold, Maple, Triple Chocolate, Miniatures, Mars Rocks, Mars Lava, and Miniatures.
The company’s worldwide recognition is mainly the result of a family feud. Forrest Mars Sr., heir to the company moved to the UK against the founder’s wishes and expanded the business there.
Reese’s
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have been an American favorite for generations. The delicious chocolate-coated “cups” of peanut butter were invented in 1923 by a worker at the Hershey Company, Harry Burnett Reese. A popular option for Halloween, they come in different sizes and versions including milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and white chocolate. Fillings are sometimes used instead of peanut butter including caramel, double chocolate, hazelnut cream, honey roasted, and marshmallow. They’re harder to find than traditional peanut butter cups.
Tootsie Roll
Tootsie Roll has been a signature American candy since 1907. The candies were invented in 1896 by New York City confectioner Leo Hirschfield who named the candies after his daughter Tootsie. The first Tootsie Rolls were flavored with cocoa. Other flavors followed including vanilla, cherry, orange, lime, and lemon all with wrappers of differing colors. The company also produces Tootsie Roll Pops, Junior Mints, Tootsie Frooties, and Razzles.
M&M’s
Those button-sized colorful candy-coated chocolate-filled M&Ms have been around since 1941. The company’s slogan “melts in your mouth, not in your hand” is associated with its fame. The hard shells with the soft centers were inspired by a method that allowed Spanish Civil War soldiers to carry chocolate in the heat without melting.
M&Ms are also popular for use as baking chips in cookies. They’re specially packaged to only include the colors red and green for Christmas cookie baking.
M&M originally stood for Forrest Mars and Bruce Murrie, a co-founder. Murrie had a 20 percent stake in the candy until had was bought out by Mars in 1948.
Cadbury
Cadbury has been a popular chocolate brand since 1963. It’s owned by Hershey Chocolate USA and headquartered in New Jersey. Called Cadbury Adams, the subsidiary brand produces several candies as well as chewing gum and breath mints. The gums have enticing flavors such as Swedish berry, fruit mania, and fuzzy peach.
The chocolate bars come in milk chocolate and dark chocolate varieties. Filling flavors include roasted almonds, salted caramel, English toffee, and creamy mint. However, Cadbury is more famous for its customized holiday candies, especially Cadbury Eggs at Easter.
Ferrero Rocher
Ferrero Rocher are luxurious chocolate and hazelnut concoctions created by Ferrero, an Italian confectionery company. They were first made by Michele Ferrero in 1979. The ball-shaped candies are covered in gold foil and placed in a paper liner. Sold separately or in packages, the candies are popular as gifts.
The company is an American subsidiary of the Ferrero Group and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The company also produces some other popular candies such as Boston Baked Beans (a popular souvenir) , a candy that resembles baked beans, Laffy Taffy, and Jaw Busters, and Lemon Heads.
Dove
Established in 1992, Dove Chocolate is an American brand owned and manufactured by Mars. Dove produces a variety of chocolate candies that are known for their unique taste and smooth, creamy texture. Some of the varieties to look for include milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and caramel. The chocolates can be purchased as large bars, single bars, and miniatures.
Dove also produces other chocolate products including chocolate milk, chocolate ice cream bars, and sugar-free chocolate. The American brand is sold under the name of Galaxy in India, the Middle East, and the UK.
Taza
The newest top American chocolate brand is Taza based in Somerville, Massachusetts. Taza chocolates are Mexican-inspired and feature stone ground, organic chocolate. Grinding the cocoa beans imparts a unique texture and flavor. Taza chocolates are considered a high-end treat.
The company makes more than 40 different products including the popular Amaze Bars and Origin Bars which are found in retail stores across the US.
About the Author Anna Timbrook
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.
