The Composition of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, the most recognizable product in the Reese's lineup, do contain milk chocolate, according to their ingredient list. However, the specific formulation is a point of interest for food enthusiasts. The outer shell is made with a combination of sugar, cocoa butter, milk chocolate, nonfat milk, milk fat, lactose, and emulsifiers like soy lecithin.
Food scientist observations suggest that the chocolate used in Reese's is a coarser variety with a lower cocoa butter content compared to what might be found in a premium chocolate bar. This particular blend, with its higher proportion of milk and sugar, is engineered to complement the strong flavor of the peanut butter filling, which itself is a confection rather than traditional peanut butter. The inclusion of PGPR (Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate), another emulsifier, also helps in achieving a specific texture and melt consistency, which is a key characteristic of the Reese's cup experience.
The Case of Reese's Pieces
Interestingly, while Reese's Peanut Butter Cups contain chocolate, their famous sibling, Reese's Pieces, contains no chocolate at all. The ingredient list for Reese's Pieces includes a peanut-flavored center covered in a crunchy candy shell, with ingredients like partially defatted peanuts, sugar, and hydrogenated vegetable oils. This was a deliberate decision by The Hershey Company during its development in the 1970s, as the peanut butter filling in the original concept was prone to leaking. The final product uses a peanut-flavored penuche filling, ensuring its distinctive texture and flavor without any chocolate components.
The Legal Definition of Chocolate
For a product to be legally labeled as “chocolate” in the United States, it must meet specific criteria set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A key distinction lies in the fats used. Real chocolate must contain cocoa butter as its primary fat component. In contrast, a “candy coating” or “compound chocolate” uses less expensive vegetable oils, like palm kernel oil, to replace some or all of the cocoa butter. This substitution makes the coating easier to work with, removes the need for complex tempering, and creates a waxier, less smooth texture when it solidifies.
Chocolate vs. Compound Coating Regulations
Legal food identity standards ensure that consumers know what they are purchasing. The FDA mandates that to be called "white chocolate," a product must contain at least 20% cocoa butter. Other pale confections that don't meet this standard are labeled "white creme" or "vanilla flavored coating," as seen with some Reese's White Creme products. For instance, a lawsuit once targeted Reese's White Peanut Butter Cups over the use of the term "white chocolate". In response, Hershey now often labels these items with the legally accurate "white creme". Similarly, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency states that products coated in chocolate must be described as "chocolate coated candies" rather than "chocolate candies".
Ingredient Breakdown: Reese's vs. Real Chocolate
| Feature | Reese's Peanut Butter Cups | Real Chocolate (e.g., premium milk chocolate) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Fat Source | Contains cocoa butter, but also includes other fats like milk fat and sometimes vegetable oils in flavored versions. | Primarily contains cocoa butter, derived from the cocoa bean. |
| Flavoring | Includes natural flavor and artificial flavor (vanillin). | Relies on the flavor profile of the cocoa solids and cocoa butter itself. |
| Emulsifiers | Contains soy lecithin and PGPR to aid in texture and shelf life. | Typically uses soy lecithin, but often avoids other emulsifiers that can dilute cocoa content. |
| Texture | Engineered to be smooth and consistent, with a lower melting point. | Depends on tempering; has a distinct, rich melt and "snap". |
| Primary Goal | Cost-effective, high-volume candy production. | Craftsmanship, richer flavor profile, and mouthfeel. |
List of Reese's Products and Their "Chocolate" Status
- Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: Contain milk chocolate, but with a specific formulation optimized for the product.
- Reese's Pieces: Do not contain any chocolate, relying on a peanut-flavored candy filling and shell.
- Reese's White Creme Peanut Butter Cups: Use a white candy coating (“white creme”) made with vegetable oils instead of cocoa butter.
- Reese's Sticks & Fast Break Bars: Generally contain chocolate, though the specific formulation will vary.
Conclusion: The Final Verdict on Reese's Chocolate
The question "are Reese's real chocolate?" has a nuanced answer that depends on which Reese's product you're discussing and the precise definition of "real chocolate." The classic Reese's Peanut Butter Cups do contain genuine milk chocolate, formulated to complement the peanut butter flavor and manufactured efficiently. However, some other Reese's products, like Reese's Pieces and the "white creme" varieties, do not contain chocolate and instead use chocolate-flavored or candy coatings. Therefore, while the most popular Reese's product contains real milk chocolate, not all items under the Reese's brand can make that same claim. The distinction ultimately comes down to the inclusion of cocoa butter versus alternative vegetable oils, a difference defined by legal standards and production choices.
Key Takeaways
- Classic Cups Contain Chocolate: The original Reese's Peanut Butter Cups use a specially formulated milk chocolate.
- Pieces Lack Chocolate: Reese's Pieces contain no chocolate, relying on a peanut-flavored candy filling.
- White Creme is Not White Chocolate: Products labeled "White Creme" use vegetable oil-based coatings, not genuine white chocolate.
- Cocoa Butter Defines Real Chocolate: Legal and culinary definitions of real chocolate require cocoa butter as the primary fat, while candy coatings use cheaper vegetable oils.
- Formula Differs from Fine Chocolate: The milk chocolate in Reese's is a coarser, sweeter blend than that found in premium chocolate bars.
- Hershey Owns Reese's: Reese's is a brand owned and manufactured by The Hershey Company.
FAQs
Q: What are the main ingredients in a classic Reese's Peanut Butter Cup? A: The classic cups contain a milk chocolate coating made from sugar, cocoa butter, and milk, with a center of ground peanuts, sugar, and dextrose.
Q: Why do some Reese's products say "white creme" instead of "white chocolate"? A: Federal regulations define white chocolate by its percentage of cocoa butter. Products labeled "white creme" use cheaper vegetable fats instead of the required amount of cocoa butter.
Q: Do Reese's Pieces have chocolate in them? A: No, Reese's Pieces do not contain any chocolate. They are peanut-flavored candies in a crunchy shell, a formulation developed to solve earlier production challenges.
Q: Is the chocolate in Reese's the same as Hershey's chocolate bars? A: No, the chocolate recipes are slightly different, though both are manufactured by The Hershey Company. The Reese's chocolate is tailored to complement the peanut butter filling.
Q: Why is a candy coating easier for manufacturers to use? A: Candy coatings, which use vegetable oils instead of cocoa butter, do not require the complex process of tempering. This makes them easier and more cost-effective to produce on a large scale.
Q: What is compound chocolate? A: Compound chocolate is a term for a candy coating that uses vegetable oils instead of the more expensive cocoa butter, making it easier to work with but giving it a different texture and flavor.
Q: Does Hershey's have different legal standards for chocolate? A: No, Hershey's must adhere to the same FDA standards for chocolate composition as any other manufacturer. Differences in their products, like the specific formula in Reese's, are internal recipes, not a circumvention of regulations.
Q: Is the peanut butter in Reese's cups real peanut butter? A: No, the center is a peanut confection, not actual peanut butter.
Q: Is there any Reese's product that is vegan? A: Yes, Hershey's has introduced Plant-Based Oat Chocolate Confection & Peanut Butter Candy Bars that are vegan.
Q: Are there any quality control issues with the chocolate in Reese's? A: While Reese's meets all legal standards, some critics point to the use of additives and lower cocoa butter content as indicators of moderate to high processing concerns.
