Ok… *sigh* My site is not a food or candy blog. I mostly just discuss the technology that is my life. But the other day after being appalled by the mediocre-ness of the so-called “Premium M&M”, I had to somehow fit it in. And writing that post led me to a page that claimed that Hershey’s Kissables had been reformulated… which made me hungry for some… which led me to a Walgreens where I found a regular old “milk chocolate” package of candy.  Since this was the original formula, I assumed the accusatory post from earlier this year was just some kind of troll.
Well, tonight “the hunger” returned and at my local Albertson’s I made a shocking discovery: a “chocolate candy” version of the Kissables. Strangely enough in the very next check-out aisle was the “milk chocolate” version. Of course I had to buy a bunch of both bags and bring them home for a taste test.  (UPDATED 12/4/08)
The ingredients are indeed different, one which starts with Milk Chocolate – which is listed as Sugar, Cocoa Butter…, and the other which starts with Sugar and Vegetable Oil. WTF? Milton Hersheypants or whoever would roll over in his chocolate coated grave! Check out the package backs for more proof:
But the real test is the taste test. The original “milk chocolate” version tasted as I expected – like candy coated milk chocolate. And at first the newer “chocolate candy” was fine too – because the candy shell still appears to be the same. But the inside is NOT the same. Â It doesn’t have the same texture, consistency, or flavor and it left an oily residue aftertaste that kind of grossed me out. It’s almost more like a candy coated Tootsie-Roll, and not in a good way. What is this world coming to?
Apparently the Hershey’s company has changed the formula and Vegas is just finally running out of the good stuff.  The new ingredient that has some people bothered is PGPR. But the real crime is the lack of cocoa butter, which is required to make what the FDA will allowed to be called “milk chocolate.”
OH, AND the conspiracy runs deep as other Hershey’s candies are also affected – check out what ABC News had to say about it. Chances are when you bite into some candy and think, “It just doesn’t taste like it used to”, unfortunately it probably doesn’t.
UPDATE:
I did a quick taste test at work today and here are the results:
Of the test subjects, most people preferred the real milk chocolate. A couple of people thought the mocolate was sweeter, and one person didn’t like either, siting that the milk chocolate tastes like as star wars action figure.  Hmmm.. star wars.. interesting.
I tried both candies this morning. I didn't really like either. The "chocolate candy" was sort of bland. It sort of tasted like a tootsie roll- as M suggested but the flavor wasn't that distinct. The "milk chocolate" version was just nasty. Initial flavor was ok but then it left this vile after taste. I wonder if it was rancid because it's old stock. Should have checked the sell by date.
I think I will stick with traditional m & m candy . I do wish we had an insider at Hershey's like we do at Taco Bell. I'd like to know scoop on this crappy product.
OH…I just read this on the ABC report:
Hershey, meanwhile, stands by its products. The company "is committed to making the world's best chocolate," said spokesman Kirk Saville. "
How can you say that when you don't use Cocoa Butter? CRAZY
What would Mr. Wonka say about this aberration???
I would be interested to have you do a blind taste test as you knew which was which. I'm doing blind testing at work today and the general public is not agreeing with you.
RE: Taste test
That's IT! The milk chocolate DOES taste like a star wars action figure…Chewy.