If you’ve bitten into a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup lately and thought, “This doesn’t taste like it used to,” you’re not alone.
Across Maryland — longtime fans of the iconic candy say something feels different. Some have described the flavor as more artificial, with a stronger chemical aftertaste.
Now, new comments from a member of the Reese family are fueling the debate.
Reese Family Member Sparks Online Debate
Brad Reese, identified as the grandson of the inventor of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, recently claimed on LinkedIn that The Hershey Company may have made quiet ingredient changes.
According to his post, milk chocolate may have been replaced with compound coatings made from vegetable oil, and traditional peanut butter may have been substituted with peanut cream in certain products.
The allegations quickly spread online, prompting renewed discussion among candy lovers who say they’ve noticed a taste difference for years.
Hershey Responds to Recipe Claims
In response to the controversy, The Hershey Company has denied making changes to the traditional Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup recipe.
However, the company did acknowledge that adjustments have been made to certain shapes and seasonal varieties of Reese’s products over time.
That distinction is important. While the classic cup recipe remains unchanged, specialty items — such as holiday shapes or limited-edition releases — may use slightly different formulations due to manufacturing processes.
Why Some Maryland Shoppers Say It Tastes Different
Montgomery County shoppers say they’ve noticed differences in:
- Texture
- Sweetness levels
- Chocolate coating thickness
- Overall peanut butter flavor
Food industry experts note that even small changes in ingredient sourcing, cocoa supply, peanut crops, or processing methods can subtly affect flavor.
Additionally, compound chocolate coatings — which use vegetable fats instead of cocoa butter — are sometimes used in shaped candies because they hold form better and melt differently than traditional milk chocolate.
A Longtime Favorite with Deep Roots
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups were originally created by H.B. Reese in the 1920s before his company was acquired by The Hershey Company. Today, Reese’s remains one of the best-selling candy brands in the United States.
For many Maryland residents, especially around Hershey’s regional footprint, the brand carries decades of nostalgia.
So… Did the Recipe Actually Change?
At this point:
- The Hershey Company says the original cup recipe has not changed.
- The company acknowledges variations in some shapes and specialty items.
- A Reese family member claims ingredient substitutions have occurred.
There is no official confirmation that the core product formula has been altered.
Still, the online debate continues — and many Maryland candy fans remain convinced their taste buds aren’t imagining things.
Have You Noticed a Difference?
If you’ve recently purchased Reese’s you may want to compare packaging labels between classic cups and seasonal varieties.
Ingredient lists can sometimes reveal whether cocoa butter or vegetable oils are being used in specific products.
