The Verdict: Nougat in Select Reese's Products
For many fans, the question, "Does Reese's have nougat?" is a point of curiosity, often leading to confusion. The simple answer is that while the classic Reese's Peanut Butter Cup does not feature nougat, at least one of its product line extensions does. The Reese's Fast Break is a distinct candy bar that includes a soft, chewy nougat layer, setting it apart from the brand's flagship product. This distinction is crucial for consumers who either love or want to avoid the soft, sugary confection found in many other popular chocolate bars. The classic cups, in contrast, focus exclusively on the creamy, simple pairing of peanut butter and chocolate, which has made them a household name. The Fast Break offers a more complex, multi-textured experience for those who prefer more than just a single-note profile from their candy bar.
The Reese's Fast Break: A Layer of Nougat
The Reese's Fast Break is the definitive answer to the nougat question. This bar starts with a layer of soft nougat at its base, topped with Reese's peanut butter, and then completely enrobed in milk chocolate. For those unfamiliar with this variant, it offers a chewy and substantial bite that differs significantly from the crumbly texture of a standard peanut butter cup. Its addition of nougat makes the Fast Break a contender in the candy bar market dominated by other nougat-filled treats, appealing to a different taste preference than the traditional Reese's cup.
What is Nougat, Anyway?
Nougat is a family of confections made with sugar or honey, roasted nuts, and whipped egg whites. The texture can vary depending on the recipe, from a soft, chewy consistency like in the Reese's Fast Break, to a harder, more brittle version found in European candies like torrone.
Common Ingredients in Nougat:
- Sugar and/or honey
- Whipped egg whites (to aerate and provide fluffiness)
- Nuts (e.g., almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts)
- Flavorings (e.g., vanilla, cocoa)
In the United States, nougat used in commercial candy bars is often a softer, industrially produced version that may use corn syrup, gelatin, or hydrolyzed proteins to achieve its desired texture and chewiness.
How is Nougat Made?
The industrial process for creating the soft nougat found in many candy bars, including the Reese's Fast Break, involves several key steps:
- Cooking the Syrup: A mixture of sugar or corn syrup is cooked to a specific high temperature to achieve the right consistency.
- Whipping Egg Whites: Egg whites are whipped until they form stiff peaks.
- Combining and Mixing: The hot sugar syrup is slowly and carefully streamed into the whipped egg whites while beating constantly. This aerates the mixture and creates the characteristic fluffiness.
- Adding Fillings: Other ingredients like fat, powdered sugar, and flavoring are folded in, along with any nuts or other mix-ins.
- Cooling and Setting: The mixture is then cooled until it sets into a firm, chewy confection.
Reese's Cups vs. Fast Break: A Comparison
To highlight the key differences, here is a comparison between the standard Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and the Reese's Fast Break.
| Feature | Reese's Peanut Butter Cup | Reese's Fast Break |
|---|---|---|
| Key Fillings | Peanut butter filling | Peanut butter and soft nougat |
| Texture | Crumbly and creamy | Chewy, creamy, and soft |
| Shape | Iconic fluted cup | Standard rectangular bar |
| Primary Flavor | Rich, straightforward peanut butter and milk chocolate | Peanut butter, milk chocolate, and sweet nougat |
| Nougat Content | No nougat | Yes, a substantial layer |
Ingredients of Classic Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Understanding why classic Reese's Peanut Butter Cups lack nougat is simple when looking at the ingredient list. The product is intentionally minimalist to highlight the flavor combination that made it famous. The key ingredients are milk chocolate and the proprietary peanut butter filling. According to the Hershey's website, the peanut butter filling consists of peanuts, sugar, dextrose, salt, and preservatives. There are no added fillers or aerated candies like nougat. This simple recipe has remained the foundation of the product's enduring appeal.
Beyond the Cups: The Diverse World of Reese's
While the Peanut Butter Cup is the most well-known product, Reese's offers a wide array of candy variations, and it's easy to see how consumers might be confused about the presence of nougat. Products like Reese's Pieces contain no nougat, but instead feature a crunchy candy shell with a peanut butter filling. Other special editions or collaborations may also introduce unique textures and ingredients. The Fast Break, however, remains one of the few standard products to include nougat as a central component, making it an exception in the Reese's family of confections.
How to Tell if a Candy Bar Has Nougat
For consumers with specific textural preferences, or those with dietary considerations, knowing how to identify nougat is helpful. The easiest method is to check the product name and packaging. Names like "Fast Break" or "Plus Nougat" clearly indicate its presence. However, for other brands, checking the ingredients list for items like whipped egg whites, corn syrup, or gelatin is a reliable way to confirm the presence of nougat. A quick bite will also tell you. If the texture is soft, sweet, and chewy, it likely contains nougat, whereas a crumbly filling points to a more traditional peanut butter or chocolate center. For Reese's products specifically, remember the classic cup is nougat-free, while the Fast Break includes it. For more information on the Fast Break, you can visit the Hershey's website.
Conclusion
In summary, the question of whether Reese's has nougat has a bifurcated answer. The classic Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, which most people associate with the brand, does not contain nougat. It is a straightforward pairing of milk chocolate and peanut butter. However, the Reese's Fast Break, a specific candy bar within the Reese's lineup, does prominently feature a layer of soft, chewy nougat. This distinction means that fans of the brand can find products tailored to different textural preferences, whether they seek the classic creamy-crumbly filling or a more complex bite with added chewiness. For consumers, the key is to know which Reese's product they are purchasing, as the brand offers more than just the iconic cup. The Fast Break proves that even a classic brand can successfully diversify its offerings to include popular elements like nougat.
