Why Hershey Chocolate Almost Never Existed

Why does American chocolate taste so different? And how did a failed candy maker become the founder of one of the biggest chocolate companies in the world?

In this episode of The Chocolate Podcast, Ed Easton and Andrew Nason uncover the extraordinary story of Milton Hershey, the man who transformed American chocolate forever.

Born in 1857, Hershey grew up caught between two very different parents. His father, Henry, was an ambitious dreamer whose endless business ventures often ended in failure. His mother, Fanny, was a strict Mennonite who believed in hard work, discipline and religion. Together, their opposing personalities would shape one of America's most influential entrepreneurs.

We follow Hershey through his early failures, disastrous business decisions and the unlikely discovery of a new caramel-making technique that would change his fortunes. From selling sweets on the streets of Lancaster to building a hugely successful caramel company, Hershey's journey is a story of perseverance, innovation and extraordinary ambition.

But just as he finally achieves success, Hershey makes an astonishing decision. He sells his entire caramel empire after discovering something he believes will change the future of confectionery: milk chocolate.

Why would a successful businessman abandon everything he'd built? And how would his next invention help explain the unusual taste of American chocolate, including the distinctive flavour associated with Hershey's?

This is Part One of the Milton Hershey story, exploring the origins of Hershey's chocolate, the history of American confectionery and the family relationships that shaped the chocolate industry. Follow The Chocolate Podcast as we continue tracing the history of milk chocolate, from its earliest innovations to the global chocolate brands we know today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.