There are a few possible reasons why Hershey’s Kisses are called “kisses”:
The Shape
The most obvious reason is that the shape of a Hershey’s Kiss resembles the shape of a kiss – it has a flat bottom and a tapered top, like a chocolate teardrop. The tip of a Hershey’s Kiss looks like pursed lips ready to give someone a kiss. Milton Hershey, the founder of Hershey’s, is often credited with naming them “kisses” because of their unique shape.
They are Bite-Sized
Hershey’s Kisses are bite-sized chocolates, small enough to eat in one bite. Their petite size makes them perfect for sharing and giving as a small token or “kiss” of affection to someone else. When you give someone a Hershey’s Kiss, it’s like giving them a chocolate kiss. The name evokes the idea of an easy, sweet gesture of appreciation or romance.
They Were Made to be Folded and Wrapped
Hershey’s Kisses originally came wrapped in small squares of aluminum foil. The foil was designed to be folded down to make the Kisses look like actual wrapped chocolate kisses. The name “kiss” fit with the way they were packaged to resemble an foil-wrapped kiss candy.
The Name is Trademarked
Hershey’s trademarked the name “Hershey’s Kisses” in 1907, just a few years after they were first produced. Trademarking the name ensured that no other candy company could use the memorable name “kisses” for their products. Hershey wanted the association between kisses and their new bite-sized chocolates to be strong and protected.
Hershey’s Marketing
Hershey’s has long marketed Kisses as a romantic candy to give and receive kisses. Their classic taglines like “A Gift of Love” and advertisements showing people exchanging Kisses have reinforced the candy’s name and connection to showing affection. The marketing helped turn Hershey’s Kisses into one of the most popular “kissing candies.”
They Were Originally Called “Knips”
Interestingly, Milton Hershey first called his new confection “Knips” (Kiss spelled backwards). The Hershey Company doesn’t clearly state why he changed it to “kisses” instead. However, Hershey likely realized the romantic connotation of “kisses” was better marketing than the unfamiliar “Knips” name.
No Official Explanation from Hershey’s
Despite the ubiquity of Hershey’s Kisses for over a hundred years now, Hershey’s itself does not officially confirm why or how they got their iconic name. However, based on the candy’s distinctive shape, packaging, marketing and comparison to other kiss candies, most historians believe the “kiss” name is clearly due to the association with the candy looking and functioning like a chocolate kiss.
Conclusion
While Hershey’s doesn’t share documentation on their naming process, the most likely reasons a Hershey’s Kiss is called a “kiss” comes down to the shape, bite-size, packaging, and Hershey’s own marketing over the last century associating the candies with affection. Next time you enjoy one of these classic American candies, remember you’re enjoying a literal chocolate kiss!
The History and Origins of Hershey’s Kisses
1907: Hershey’s Kiss is Born
Milton S. Hershey, founder of the Hershey Chocolate Company, produced the first Hershey’s Kiss in 1907. Originally called “Knips,” (Kiss spelled backwards) the candies were encased in small squares of silver foil designed to look like wrapped chocolates. Hershey changed the name to “Kiss” soon after and trademarked it in 1908.
Why Were They Created?
Hershey wanted to produce affordable bite-sized chocolates, distinguishing them from higher-priced European brands. The foiling machine gave Hershey the means to package them affordably. The little Kisses could be made economically and distributed widely.
Early Design and Production
Kisses were hand-wrapped at first, but by 1921 machine wrapping enabled mass production. Early Kisses had no stamped name or logo, only the recognizable conical shape. Originally silver foiled, color foils like red, green and blue were introduced in the 1950s.
1930s Popularity
A Depression-era marketing campaign helped boost Kiss popularity. Kisses sold for just 5 cents a bag and their smaller size let people control portions during hard economic times. Sales skyrocketed making them one of Hershey’s top-selling items.
Wartime Production
Kiss production ended during World War II when the foil was needed for the war effort. Soldiers missed their Kisses so much that when production resumed after the war, Hershey made special five-pound ration tins to send Kisses overseas to service members.
Innovation Continues
Hershey introduced new flavors and varieties to keep Kisses popular. These include classics like milk and almond along with limited editions like cherry, pumpkin spice, chocolate creme and more. Seasonal packaging, brand partnerships, and contests have also kept Kisses relevant after over a century on the market.
By The Numbers
Here are some impressive facts about the iconic candy:
| Year Invented | 1907 |
| Kisses Made Each Day | 80 million |
| Number of Kisses Laid End to End to Circle Earth | 5.79 times |
| Most Popular Flavors | Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, caramel, peppermint |
| Number of Kisses Eaten Annually | 11.7 billion |
Legacy Today
Over 115 years later, Hershey’s Kisses remain among the most popular American candies ever created. Generations of families have enjoyed the classic tear-drop shaped chocolates. Kisses seem poised to continue delighting chocolate-lovers well into the future.
Conclusion
From their humble Pennsylvania origins to global popularity, Hershey’s Kisses have proven to be an enduring candy classic. Their distinctive name, shape and packaging make them instantly recognizable and loved. Next time you unwrap one of these little chocolate delights, remember you are enjoying over a century of chocolate-making history in that smooth, conical candy.