Hershey's in the UK: The Complete Guide to Every Product

Hershey's is the most recognisable American chocolate brand in the world. Founded in 1894 by Milton S. Hershey in Pennsylvania, the company built its reputation on making affordable milk chocolate accessible to ordinary Americans — a radical concept at the time when chocolate was still a luxury product. Today Hershey's is a $10 billion company and the dominant force in the American chocolate market. In the UK, Hershey's has a complex reputation: the chocolate tastes different from British chocolate, noticeably so, and opinions divide sharply. This guide explains why, and covers the full range available. For a broader comparison of American and British confectionery, see our American sweets vs British sweets guide.

Why Does Hershey's Taste Different from British Chocolate?

This is the question UK consumers ask most often about Hershey's — and the answer is genuinely interesting. The difference comes primarily from the milk processing method. Hershey's uses a process that partially lipolises (breaks down) the milk fats before mixing them into the chocolate. This produces butyric acid — a compound also found in Parmesan cheese. In small concentrations, butyric acid produces a slightly tangy, almost savoury note that's characteristic of Hershey's milk chocolate. American consumers grew up with this flavour and associate it with chocolate. British consumers, raised on Cadbury's creamier, higher-cocoa-butter formulation, often find it surprising on first taste.

Neither is objectively better — they're genuinely different products shaped by different dairy traditions and different consumer expectations. The result: Hershey's milk chocolate is polarising in the UK. But the Cookies 'n' Creme bar — white chocolate with Oreo pieces — doesn't have the same divisive dairy note and is almost universally popular with UK consumers.

A Brief History of Hershey's

Milton Hershey didn't invent chocolate. He invented affordable chocolate. Before Hershey's, milk chocolate was an expensive European product. Hershey's goal was to create a milk chocolate that every American could afford. The Hershey Milk Chocolate Bar launched in 1900 at just five cents — accessible to working-class Americans in a way that imported European chocolate was not. The company grew through the 20th century by acquiring other brands. The most significant was Reese's in 1963 — the peanut butter cup brand that now outsells every other candy in the United States. Hershey's also owns Jolly Rancher, Heath, and York. For the full Reese's story, see our complete Reese's guide. For the story of how Reese's Pieces ended up in E.T., see our E.T. and Reese's Pieces blog.

The Complete Hershey's UK Range

Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar — The original product, available in standard and king size. The product that built the company and the one that most divides UK opinion. Worth stocking because it's the most recognisable Hershey's product and satisfies the curiosity of customers who've heard about it. Lead with Cookies 'n' Creme for customers who haven't tried Hershey's before — it converts better.

Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme — The most popular Hershey's product in the UK by a significant margin. White chocolate with Oreo cookie pieces — a combination that doesn't rely on the divisive milk chocolate flavour and appeals broadly to British palates. Available in standard and king size. Stock this as your primary Hershey's chocolate line.

Hershey's Kisses — Small, teardrop-shaped milk chocolate pieces individually wrapped in foil — one of the most iconic American chocolate formats. Each Kiss has a small paper ribbon extending from the top. Kisses come in milk chocolate, Cookies 'n' Creme, and seasonal varieties. One of the strongest gifting products in the Hershey's range — the bag format and distinctive shape make them feel premium at an accessible price point. A consistent seller year-round that peaks strongly in gifting seasons.

Hershey's Nuggets — Chunky, individually wrapped chocolate pieces, larger than a Kiss and more substantial than a standard bar piece. Available in milk chocolate, Special Dark, and Cookies 'n' Creme. The individual wrapping makes them ideal for gifting, sharing, and pick and mix displays.

Hershey's Special Dark — Darker chocolate with a more intense, less sweet flavour profile than the standard milk chocolate. Sidesteps some of the divisive butyric acid note and has a following among consumers who prefer less sweet chocolate.

Hershey's Syrup — An American kitchen staple used in milkshakes, on ice cream, and in baking. The distinctive squeeze bottle is instantly recognisable. Opens up a consumer audience beyond confectionery buyers and works as a strong novelty grocery item.

Hershey's Miniatures — A mixed bag of miniature versions of Hershey's core bars — Milk Chocolate, Special Dark, Krackel (with crisped rice), and Mr. Goodbar (with peanuts). The variety bag format works well for gifting and sharing, giving recipients a sampler of the Hershey's range. Particularly popular around Christmas and Halloween.

The Hershey's and Reese's Connection

No Hershey's guide would be complete without addressing Reese's. H.B. Reese created his peanut butter cups in 1928 while working at Hershey's dairy farm, and Hershey's acquired the Reese's brand in 1963. Today Reese's is the biggest-selling candy brand in America and the most popular American chocolate product in the UK. The two brands are inseparable — Reese's is made with Hershey's chocolate, and the slightly tangy Hershey's flavour is part of what makes Reese's Peanut Butter Cups distinctive. Most UK consumers who try Reese's love the combination even if they find straight Hershey's milk chocolate surprising.

Browse the Full Hershey's Range

Sweet and Glory stocks the complete Hershey's wholesale range. Browse the Hershey's brand page for current availability, or see the full chocolate range.

No minimum order. Free first parcel on orders over £150 ex VAT (additional boxes £7.10 each). Free pallet delivery over £650 ex VAT. Dispatched from Manchester. Create a free account to browse and order, or contact us for range advice.

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