Kisses (confectionery) facts for kids
Kisses are small, sweet candies known for their unique shape. The most famous type is Hershey's Kisses, first made in the United States in 1907. Sometimes, the term "kisses" can also describe other treats. These might be candies with a hard outside and a soft inside, like chocolate-covered marshmallows. Or they could be two small cookies or biscuits joined together with soft icing. Other countries have similar candies too. For example, Italy has bocconetti di mandorla (almond kisses). India has a candy called "cool kiss."
The History of Kisses Candy in America
Around the early 1900s, "kisses" was a common name for small candies in the United States. By 1910, chemists in Pennsylvania studied 13 different chocolate candies called "kisses." But not all "kisses" candies were made of chocolate. In 1915, a company called Novelty Candy Company sold "kisses" in three flavors: cinnamon, molasses, and nut butter.
How Hershey's Kisses Became Famous
In the early 1920s, new machines helped wrap chocolate kisses in foil. This allowed companies like Hershey's to make their chocolate kisses stand out. In 1924, Milton S. Hershey received a special design trademark. This trademark was for their unique "foil wrapped conical configuration with plume."
This "plume" was a small piece of parchment paper. It was printed with the "Hershey's" name and stuck out from the top of the foil wrapper. This special plume helped customers know they were buying a Hershey's Kiss. It made them different from other chocolate kisses.
Over time, The Hershey Company got more trademarks for their Kisses. In January 2001, they received a trademark for the name "KISSES" itself.
