Candy made in the USA
The emphasis on mass production and accessibility has always been a hallmark of U.S. candy. Candy-making machinery dramatically increased output, making candy more affordable and widely available. This industrialization paved the way for pioneering companies like Hershey's. Milton Hershey's vision led to the mass-produced milk chocolate bar in 1900, a game-changer that transformed chocolate from a luxury item into an everyday indulgence for millions. This focus on making candy accessible to everyone has remained a core principle of American candies. M&M's are a testament to ingenuity, developed from the desire for a chocolate that wouldn't melt in your hand, making them ideal for portability. The 1920s saw a surge of creativity, bringing us classics like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (1928), ingeniously combining chocolate with America's beloved peanut butter, and the Charleston Chew (1922), a delightful nougat bar named after the popular dance craze of the era. American candy were often created by practical design ideas and clever marketing, creating enduring favorites that continue to capture the imagination.