Do you remember your first Kiss?

[azmouse]

http://www.azcentral.com/home/food/articles/0125hersheys0125.html

Hershey's Kisses are 100 years old!


Hershey's Kiss history
1894 -- Using chocolate-making equipment purchased at the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Milton S. Hershey launches the Hershey Chocolate Company as part of his Milton Hershey's Lancaster Caramel Company. The new firm exists to produce baking chocolate, cocoa and sweet chocolate coatings for the parent company's caramels.

1898 -- The company's first logo, the "Baby in the Bean," depicts a youngster in a cocoa bean pod, sometimes holding a cup of cocoa, sometimes a chocolate bar. Although the symbol doesn't retire until 1968, it will fade into obscurity once the Kiss comes along.

1907 -- Hershey's Kisses are introduced on July 7. Urban lore has it that the treat was named for the lip-smacking sound of the machinery "kissing" the conveyor belt during the manufacturing process.

1921 -- Automated wrapping is introduced to Kiss production in August. Before this technological innovation, Kisses were hand-wrapped. The distinctive paper plume is added at this time, to thwart imitators.

1924 -- Milton S. Hershey, the corporation's founder, obtained a registered trademark for the plume. Before then, the word "kiss" had been a common confectionery term used for a variety of candies.

1931 -- While the shape of a Hershey's Kiss has not changed since its birth, three different milk chocolate formulations were offered until this date: Sweethearts (1907 to 1918), Silver Tops (1909 to 1931), and Silverpoints (1918 to 1929).

1942-1949 -- The bite-size chocolates were not produced during World War II because of rationing of silver foil during and after the hostilities. Instead, ingredient mixing units in the Kisses' molding department were used to temper chocolate paste for the military ration bar, producing more than 3 billion units during this period.

1962 -- The traditional silver-foiled Kiss is joined by red and green compadres for the first time, arriving just in time for Christmas.

1968 -- Kisses were introduced in pastel blue, pink and green foil for Easter season.

1976 -- A registered trademark is obtained for the configuration of Kisses chocolates with their familiar foil wrap.

1986 -- Hershey's introduced Valentine's kisses in red and silver foil.

1989 -- Hershey's Kisses become fifth most popular candy in the United States, spawning sales that topped $400 million.

1990 -- In September, the Kiss franchise expands with the introduction of Chocolate with Almonds.

1991 -- Fall Harvest Kisses join the product lineup.

1993 -- Hershey's introduced Hershey's Hugs -- basically Mini Kisses hugged by white chocolate.

2002 -- Hershey's Kisses begin offering limited-edition flavors -- specialty runs of such products as extra creamy chocolate, double fudge and strawberry creme.

2003 -- In June, Rich Dark Chocolates were launched as a permanent addition to the Kisses family.

2004 -- In February, the Kisses brand combined the company's top two confectionery ingredients to produce Chocolate filled with Caramel for its permanent Kisses collection.

2005 -- The November introduction of Kissables -- candy-coated chocolate confections in colors of blue, red, yellow, green and orange in convenient, single-serve packaging -- is targeted at consumers "on-the-go."

Source: Hersheys.com

[zanne]

1. Dammit.

I wanted to tell everybody about my first kiss! (smooch)

[Montauk6]

2. SHHH, EVERYBODY!!! ZANNE HAS THE FLOOR!!!

Go ahead, Zanne. Lay it on us.

[azmouse]

3. All kisses are sweet!

:) Go ahead and tell us.

[zanne]

4. You're gonna hear about my first kiss anyway, dammit.

I was twelve and he was an older man of 14. I figured he knew what he was doing, having had experience and all. I was backed up against a fence and, to my horror, he came at me with an open mouth! I screamed and ran away. He caught me and kissed my cheek (with tongue)!

[LaraMN]

5. I only like the kind with gooey middles,

such as the caramel ones.

[azmouse]

6. Excellent choice!

:9