Reese's is a brand of confectionery owned by The Hershey Company. The most popular product of the brand is the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, which is a chocolate cup filled with peanut butter. The brand was founded by H.B Reese, who was a dairy farmer and former Hershey's employee. Reese began making his own cand confections in his basement in the early 1920s and launched the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup in 1928.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are made by molding a thin layer of chocolate around a dollop of peanut butter. The peanut butter used in Reese's cups is a proprietary recipe, made from roasted peanuts and sugar. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups come in a variety of sizes, from the traditional "cup" shape to miniatures, "big cups," and "stuff" versions that have additional ingredients mixed in with the peanut butter filling.
The brand has expanded its product line to include Reese's Pieces, Reese's Sticks, Reese's Puffs cereal and Reese's Fast Break bar. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are one of the most popular and recognizable cand in the world, with billions sold each year. They are enjoyed by people of all ages and are often used in baking and cooking recipes.
Reese's is committed to sustainability and ethical sourcing of ingredients, by ensuring the cocoa and peanuts used in their products are grown and harvested in a responsible manner. The brand also supports charitable causes, including children's hospitals and schools.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are not gluten-free, but the brand does offer some gluten-free options. The brand's slogan is "There's no wrong way to eat a Reese's.
What are the main ingredients in a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup?
The main ingredients in a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup are chocolate and peanut butter. The chocolate coating typically contains cocoa butter, cocoa powder, sugar, and milk ingredients. The peanut butter filling contains roasted peanuts, sugar, and salt. Some versions of the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup may also contain additional ingredients such as emulsifiers or artificial flavors.
What other varieties of Reese's products are available?
Reese's offers a variety of confectionery products in addition to the classic Peanut Butter Cup. Some examples include:
- Reese's Pieces: small, spherical cand with a crunchy shell and peanut butter filling
- Reese's Sticks: a chocolate-covered wafer stick filled with peanut butter
- Reese's Puffs cereal: a breakfast cereal made with whole grain and featuring the taste of Reese's peanut butter and chocolate
- Reese's Fast Break bar: a chocolate-covered bar with peanut butter filling and nougat
- Reese's White Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups: similar to the original, but with white chocolate coating
- Reese's Big Cup: A bigger version of the classic Reese's Peanut Butter Cup
- Reese's Thins: A thinner version of the classic Reese's Peanut Butter Cup
- Reese's Spread: A peanut butter spread with the taste of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
- Reese's Lovers Cup: Reese's peanut butter cups with extra peanut butter filling
- Reese's Filled: A Reese's Peanut Butter Cup with additional fillings like pretzel or caramel.
These are some of the varieties of Reese's products available, but the brand may have seasonal or limited-time offerings as well.
How is Reese's chocolate made?
Reese's chocolate is made using a process called conching, which is a method used to refine and smooth chocolate. The process starts with cocoa beans that have been roasted and ground into a paste called chocolate liquor. The chocolate liquor is mixed with cocoa butter and sugar to create a smooth mixture called chocolate mass. The chocolate mass is then placed in a machine called a conche, which grinds, heats and agitates the chocolate for several hours to several days. This process helps to develop the flavor and texture of the chocolate and remove unwanted flavors.
After conching, the chocolate is tempered, which is a process that involves heating and cooling the chocolate to specific temperatures in order to give it the right texture and shine. The tempered chocolate is then poured into molds and cooled to solidify it. Once the chocolate is solidified, it is removed from the molds and is ready to be used to make Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
Reese's chocolate is made using high-quality ingredients and is carefully monitored throughout the production process to ensure that it meets the brand's high standards of quality and taste. The chocolate is made with cocoa butter, cocoa powder, sugar, and milk ingredients, and the company take care of ethical sourcing of cocoa and other ingredients to ensure the chocolate is made in a responsible manner.
What is the difference between a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and a Hershey's Chocolate Bar?
The main difference between a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and a Hershey's Chocolate Bar is the filling. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups have a peanut butter filling surrounded by chocolate, while Hershey's Chocolate Bars do not have a filling, they are chocolate bars only.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are made by molding a thin layer of chocolate around a dollop of peanut butter. The peanut butter used in Reese's cups is a proprietary recipe made from roasted peanuts and sugar. Hershey's Chocolate Bars, on the other hand, are made from chocolate, cocoa butter, cocoa powder, sugar and milk ingredients. They can come in different flavors such as milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or special dark chocolate.
Another difference is the shape, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are typically shaped like a cup and Hershey's chocolate bars are rectangular shape.
Both Reese's and Hershey's are popular and recognizable brands in the chocolate industry, but Reese's is known for its peanut butter cups while Hershey's is known for its chocolate bars. Both Reese's and Hershey's are committed to sustainability and ethical sourcing of ingredients and are of high quality.
What is the nutritional value of a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup?
The nutritional value of a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup can vary depending on the size and version of the product. Generally speaking, a regular-sized (1.5 oz) Reese's Peanut Butter Cup contains the following:
- 200 calories
- 12g of fat, of which 5g is saturated
- 22g of sugar
- 4g of protein
- 20mg of sodium
It should be noted that Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are considered a treat and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. They are high in sugar and calories, and should be consumed in small amounts.
Reese's also have mini and snack size versions of their peanut butter cups, which are smaller in size and have less calories and sugar, but still have the same proportion of fat and protein.
It is important to check the nutrition facts label on the packaging for the most accurate and up-to-date information on the nutritional value of a particular Reese's product.
How does Reese's support sustainability and ethical sourcing of ingredients?
Reese's, like many other major food companies, is committed to sustainability and ethical sourcing of ingredients. The Hershey Company, the owner of Reese's, has implemented a number of initiatives to support sustainable and ethical sourcing of ingredients.
One of the main initiatives is the Cocoa for Good program, which focuses on improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers, promoting sustainable cocoa production, and protecting children and communities. The program aims to help farmers increase their productivity, improve their livelihoods and protect the environment through training and support in best agricultural practices.
Reese's also works with Rainforest Alliance, an international non-profit organization that promotes sustainable farming, to certify the cocoa used in Reese's products. Rainforest Alliance certification ensures that the cocoa is grown and harvested in a way that protects the environment and the rights of workers and communities.
The Hershey Company also made a commitment to source 100% of its cocoa for chocolate products from certified sustainable sources by 2020, and to source 100% of its palm oil from certified sustainable sources by 2022.
In addition, Reese's supports sustainable and ethical sourcing of ingredients in other areas such as peanuts, milk, and sugar, and works with suppliers to improve sustainability practices and ensure that ingredients are sourced in an ethical and responsible manner.
Overall, Reese's is committed to ensuring that its products are made with ingredients that are grown and harvested in a way that is sustainable and respects the rights of workers and communities.
Can Reese's Peanut Butter Cups be used in baking or cooking?
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups can be used in baking and cooking. They are a popular ingredient in many desserts and sweet treats, such as cakes, cookies, brownies, and more. They can be chopped and added to batter, used as a topping, melted and poured over a dessert, or even stuffed inside a pastry. They can also be used to make creative and delicious meals, such as Reese's Peanut Butter Cup grilled cheese sandwich, Reese's Peanut Butter Cup pancakes, Reese's Peanut Butter Cup ice cream and many more.
When using Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in baking and cooking, it's important to keep in mind that they are high in sugar and fat, so they should be used in moderation and in small amounts. They can also be used in combination with other ingredients such as chocolate chips, nuts, or fruits to create a balance in flavor and nutritional value.
It's also important to note that some recipes may require the Reese's Peanut Butter Cups to be chopped or melted before being used, and in some cases, the recipe may require the peanut butter filling only and not the chocolate coating.
Overall, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes, and can add a delicious peanut butter and chocolate flavor to any recipe.
