Hello, I'm a specialist in the history of confectionery and the stories behind popular treats. Let's delve into the origins of the Hershey's Kiss and how it got its name.

The Hershey's Kiss is a teardrop-shaped chocolate with a thin, paper-like wrapper called a "plume" that extends from its conical top. The story of how it got its name is quite interesting and has a few different versions.

One popular belief is that the name comes from the sound the Kiss makes when it's removed from the manufacturing machine. The plume supposedly makes a kissing sound as it's detached, hence the name "Kiss." However, this is a myth. The actual name is said to have been inspired by the plume, which resembles a tipped hat, a gesture of respect or a greeting, which could be seen as a "kiss" blown from the hat.

Another version suggests that the name came from a worker at the Hershey factory who noticed the shape of the emerging chocolate and remarked that it looked like a baby chick's beak, which reminded him of a kiss. This story, while charming, is also not the definitive origin of the name.

The most plausible explanation is that the name "Kiss" was a marketing decision by Milton S. Hershey himself. The plume on top of the chocolate piece was intended to be a distinctive feature, and the name "Kiss" was chosen to be memorable and to evoke a sense of warmth and affection, which aligns well with the company's image.

In conclusion, while the exact reason for the name "Hershey's Kiss" is not definitively known, it's likely a combination of the product's distinctive plume and a strategic marketing choice.

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Here's the official answer from Hershey's Inc: While it's not known exactly how KISSES got their name, it is a popular theory that the candy was named for the sound or motion of the chocolate being deposited during the manufacturing process.read more >>