Monday, September 15, 2008

The Ultimate Kiss Taste Test


In order to assist you, the blogging community, in the selection of fine candy for your Autumn and Halloween pleasure, I hereby present the official results of the great Hershey's Kiss taste test, as performed by my children and tabulated by me.

The contenders:

  • Caramel kisses
  • Candy corn kisses
  • Pumpkin spice kisses
  • Cherry cordial kisses
  • Special dark chocolate kisses
  • Hugs
  • Almond kisses
  • Milk chocolate kisses
The experimental conditions:
Single-blind trial, prepared by me. Subjects were given unwrapped kisses coded by letter, and instructed to silently answer three questions for each. Choice of milk or water was provided to cleanse the palate between tastings.
  1. Flavor 1-5; 1 being barfy, 5 being "mom please buy lots of these"
  2. What do you think the name of this flavor is?
  3. Comments

The Results

A. Hershey's kisses filled with caramel
  • Average grade for flavor: 5
  • Name guesses: "basic kiss" "caramel chocolate" and "caramel-filled chocolate jumbo kisses"
  • Comments: "I think the middle tastes different. It is sort of creamier." "It's delicious and I love the middle."
  • My thoughts: I can't believe Jungle Boy thought this was a regular kiss. And he hates caramel usually, but loved these. Go figure.
B. Candy Corn flavor
  • Average grade for flavor: 4.67
  • Name guesses: "Candy corn (2)" "Halloween kiss"
  • Comments: "It's delicious and I love the flavor." "I think they are good but they would be really good for Halloween."
  • My thoughts: Waxy, but definite candy corn taste. Fun.
C. Pumpkin Spice
  • Average grade for flavor: 3
  • Name guesses: "Cinnamon" "Peanut caramel kiss" "Cinnamon cream"
  • Comments: It's really yummy and it gives a feel of Christmas." "These are ok but I might like them some times more than others."
  • My thoughts: I love these, but I can see why the kids aren't crazy about them. Perfect for Thanksgiving.
D. Cherry Cordial
  • Average grade for flavor: 4
  • Name guesses: "Pez candy" "Milk chocolate kiss" "Strawberry filling"
  • Comments: "I love how it's sweet like candy but at the same time chocolatly" " I think they are a little sweet but they are good for the holidays."
  • My thoughts: I was expecting cough-syrup flavor, but they're actually pretty good. Definitely very sweet though, as the kids said. Probably perfect for SAHM's who sit around all day watching soap operas.
E. Special Dark Chocolate
  • Average grade for flavor: 4.41 (Drama Girl stopped using round numbers)
  • Name guesses: "Dark Chocolate" "Hot chocolate"
  • Comments: "Even though they are simple with nothing special, but I think they are great." "Delicious."
  • My thoughts: Not as rich as some dark chocolates. Good though.
F. Hugs
  • Average grade for flavor: 4
  • Name guesses: "White chocolate" "White and dark chocolate swirl" "zebra stripes and cow poop in the middle"
  • Comments: "Sooooo good" "It was kind of bland for me but I wouldn't mind if other people like it."
  • My thoughts: Not my favorite.
G. Hershey kisses with Almonds
  • Average grade for flavor: 4.08
  • Name guesses: "Almonds (2)" "Marshmallows and nuts"
  • Comments: "Yummy to the tummy" "I think it was really smart to put an almond and I like it."
  • My thoughts: fun to watch Drama Girl make a face and spit it out. I guess you have to like almonds.
H. Milk chocolate Hershey's Kisses
  • Average grade for flavor: 4
  • Name guesses: "Chocolate kiss" "Dark Chocolate" "Awful" (I think Drama Girl had had enough chocolate at this point).
  • Comments: " I think they were good, and these are probably the cheapest because they are so plain but good." "I love it."
  • My thoughts: The original and still the best.
So there you are, with the final word on each type of Hershey's kiss. I know that you, the demanding candy consumer, will probably print this out for your next candy purchase expedition. Some people can rate wines, but how many people can rate Hershey's kisses?

And for the record, that little piece of paper in every kiss? It's called a niggly-wiggly. Now you know.

19 people stopped folding laundry to write:

Anonymous said...

Oh honey, I need to send you some good, honest chocolate from the UK/Europe. Then you'll wonder what you were thinking by putting that stuff in your mouth! *lol* And this, coming from someone who absolutely HATES HATES HATES chocolate...except for two days out of the month. But those two days it had better be imported otherwise it gags me.

And hey, aren't those nasty little candy corns bad enough already? Why did Hershey's have to go and make them WORSE?

FWIW...eldest daughter loves the cherry cordial kisses.

Coloradolady said...

Oh, I had no idea they had candy corn kisses. Imagine that.

I will have to pass, I hate candy corn on its own. They are pretty however!

I think the carmel filled ones would be devine.

Liz Jimenez said...

That's quite an experiment you ran there! I love the little baggies.

But man, candy corn... just thinking about it reminds me of Halloween and nasty stomachaches. I'll have to pass. :-)

What A Card said...

Oh, I miss candy kisses. Stupid nut allergies!

PS~~You're the best mom ever. I don't ever do anything cool like let my kids taste test chocolate!

Des said...

you HAVE enriched my world today. Thank you for your service. I'm partial to the caramel ones.

Aimee said...

I cannot buy caramel Kisses because I cannot be trusted alone with them. I have moderation issues.

(PS: I'm enjoying your blog; I found you through Catholic teacher Musings.)

Nancy said...

I had no idea they made so many flavors! I love the "real" kisses...and the almond ones are awesome too...of course, that's because I like almonds ;)

And I seriously laughed out loud that you gave your son caramel knowing that he doesn't like it...and that he liked it! HAHAHAHAHA

Aimz said...

oooh yum! I might just do that test myself :-)

LauraC said...

Let me summarize your findings: they are all good!

I have to agree on Hugs though. I've always thought they were bland.

And I do think that part of the appeal of Kisses is the nostalgia. Not the best chocolate but the chocolate I remember from childhood.

Anonymous said...

kisses are good, doves are better

Laura said...

Yum.
That's all I got.
Yum.
Oh, and is Cheryl trying to up her game with comments so she can be ABOVE me on your comment list?
We'll see about that.

Laura said...

I never choose candy corn to buy but if I am eating it. I cannot stop.
PS. Cheryl is NOT going to beat me.

Laura said...

I like caramel more than chocolate these days.

PS. Cheryl is not going to beat me.

Laura said...

I love that you let your kids have sugar.
Sugar is good.

PS. Cheryl is not going to beat me.

owlfan said...

My kids would love me if I had them taste test chocolate. Maybe I should try that closer to Halloween- when its close enough that there is less chance I will eat all the candy before the trick-or-treaters.

I agree with auds, though, the imported chocolate is MUCH better. Dove does a good job though.

Anonymous said...

This is a very helpful post. I love the caramel ones and bake them into cookies! Love them.

Anonymous said...

Oh this is awesome love it!

Claremont First Ward said...

Now I don't have to waste my money on the pumpkin spice. I was contimplating buying some. :)

WIDNEY WOMAN said...

This was wonderfully helpful. Thank you. If I knew how to give blog awards, I would give you one for being the big sister I always wish I had. I have a big sister, but I tend to have to take that role and wish she would fulfill her proper duties.

Oh, and I am going to ignore the SAHM comment because I 'know' you well enough now to know you were joking.

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