The Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar is one of the most recognizable and beloved chocolate bars in the world. Its smooth, creamy milk chocolate and iconic rectangular shape with little squares have been a staple in American candy culture for over a century. But have you ever stopped to think about those little squares on a Hershey bar? What are they called, and what’s their purpose? In this article, we’ll delve into the history of the Hershey bar, explore the design and functionality of the little squares, and uncover some interesting facts about this beloved chocolate treat.
A Brief History of the Hershey Bar
To understand the significance of the little squares on a Hershey bar, it’s essential to know the history behind the chocolate bar itself. Milton S. Hershey, the founder of the Hershey Chocolate Company, introduced the first milk chocolate bar in 1900. The original bar was made with milk chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, and milk, and it quickly became a hit with the American public.
In the early days, Hershey bars were sold for just five cents apiece, making them an affordable treat for people of all ages. The bar’s popularity soared, and by the 1920s, Hershey’s had become one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the world.
The Design of the Hershey Bar
So, what about those little squares on a Hershey bar? The design of the Hershey bar is a crucial aspect of its identity and functionality. The bar is divided into a series of rectangular sections, each with a smooth, flat surface. These sections are separated by a series of narrow grooves, which serve as a guide for breaking the bar into smaller pieces.
The little squares on a Hershey bar are officially known as “score lines” or “break lines.” They are an integral part of the bar’s design, allowing consumers to easily break the bar into smaller pieces. This design feature has been a part of the Hershey bar since its inception and has become an iconic part of the brand’s identity.
The Purpose of Score Lines
The score lines on a Hershey bar serve several purposes:
- Convenience: The score lines make it easy to break the bar into smaller pieces, allowing consumers to enjoy a piece of chocolate at a time.
- Portion control: The score lines help consumers control their chocolate intake by providing a clear guide for breaking the bar into smaller pieces.
- Aesthetics: The score lines add a touch of elegance to the bar’s design, making it more visually appealing to consumers.
The Manufacturing Process
The manufacturing process of a Hershey bar is a complex and fascinating process that involves several stages. Here’s a brief overview of how Hershey bars are made:
- Chocolate production: The first stage involves producing the chocolate itself. This involves mixing cocoa beans, sugar, milk, and other ingredients to create the signature Hershey’s milk chocolate.
- Tempering: The chocolate is then tempered to give it a smooth, glossy finish. Tempering involves heating and cooling the chocolate to create a stable crystal structure that sets the chocolate’s texture and appearance.
- Molding: The tempered chocolate is then poured into molds, which are designed to create the iconic Hershey bar shape.
- Cooling and setting: The chocolate is allowed to cool and set in the molds, which can take several hours.
- Packaging: Once the chocolate has set, it is removed from the molds and packaged in wrappers or other packaging materials.
The Role of Score Lines in Manufacturing
The score lines on a Hershey bar play a crucial role in the manufacturing process. The score lines are created during the molding stage, when the chocolate is still in a liquid state. The molds are designed with narrow grooves that create the score lines, which are then set as the chocolate cools and hardens.
The score lines serve as a guide for the manufacturing process, allowing the chocolate to be broken into smaller pieces during the packaging stage. This ensures that each piece of chocolate is uniform in size and shape, which is essential for maintaining the brand’s quality and consistency.
Interesting Facts About Hershey Bars
Here are some interesting facts about Hershey bars that you might not know:
- The original Hershey bar was made with a different type of milk: The original Hershey bar was made with sweetened condensed milk, which gave it a sweeter and creamier flavor.
- Hershey bars were originally sold for five cents apiece: The first Hershey bars were sold for just five cents apiece, making them an affordable treat for people of all ages.
- The Hershey bar is one of the most popular chocolate bars in the world: The Hershey bar is one of the most recognizable and beloved chocolate bars in the world, with millions of bars sold every year.
Conclusion
The little squares on a Hershey bar are an integral part of the brand’s identity and functionality. The score lines, as they are officially known, serve as a guide for breaking the bar into smaller pieces and add a touch of elegance to the bar’s design. Whether you’re a chocolate lover or just a fan of the iconic Hershey bar, there’s no denying the significance of those little squares. So next time you enjoy a Hershey bar, take a moment to appreciate the design and functionality of those little squares – they’re an integral part of the chocolate bar’s enduring appeal.
What are the little squares on a Hershey’s bar called?
The little squares on a Hershey’s bar are commonly referred to as “score lines” or “break lines.” These lines are intentionally molded into the chocolate bar to create a series of small, rectangular pieces that can be easily broken off and consumed. The score lines serve both functional and aesthetic purposes, making it easier for consumers to portion out their chocolate and adding to the overall visual appeal of the bar.
Interestingly, the score lines on a Hershey’s bar have remained largely unchanged since the company’s founder, Milton S. Hershey, first introduced the iconic milk chocolate bar in 1900. The design has become an integral part of the Hershey’s brand identity and is instantly recognizable to chocolate lovers around the world.
Why did Milton Hershey create the little squares on his chocolate bar?
According to company lore, Milton Hershey created the little squares on his chocolate bar as a way to make his product more accessible and convenient for consumers. At the time, chocolate was often sold in large, unwieldy blocks that were difficult to break into smaller pieces. By molding his chocolate into a series of small, rectangular pieces, Hershey made it easier for people to enjoy his product on the go.
Hershey’s innovative design also helped to differentiate his product from other chocolate bars on the market. The little squares became a hallmark of the Hershey’s brand, and they have remained a beloved feature of the company’s chocolate bars to this day.
How are the little squares on a Hershey’s bar made?
The little squares on a Hershey’s bar are created through a process called “molding.” During manufacturing, liquid chocolate is poured into a large mold that is imprinted with the familiar score lines. As the chocolate cools and hardens, it takes on the shape of the mold, complete with the signature little squares.
Once the chocolate has hardened, it is removed from the mold and packaged for distribution. The entire process, from pouring the chocolate to packaging the finished bars, is carefully controlled to ensure that every Hershey’s bar meets the company’s high standards for quality and consistency.
Do all Hershey’s chocolate bars have the little squares?
While the little squares are a hallmark of the classic Hershey’s milk chocolate bar, not all Hershey’s products feature this design. Some limited-edition and specialty bars may have different molding patterns or no score lines at all.
However, the classic milk chocolate bar, as well as many other popular Hershey’s products, such as the Special Dark bar and the Cookies ‘n’ Creme bar, all feature the iconic little squares. The design has become an integral part of the Hershey’s brand identity, and it is often associated with the company’s classic milk chocolate bar.
Can I break a Hershey’s bar into perfect little squares every time?
While the score lines on a Hershey’s bar are designed to make it easy to break the chocolate into small pieces, it’s not always possible to break the bar into perfect little squares every time. The chocolate may break unevenly, or the pieces may not separate cleanly along the score lines.
However, with a little practice and patience, it is possible to break a Hershey’s bar into relatively uniform pieces. To increase your chances of success, try breaking the bar along the score lines, using a gentle snapping motion. You can also try refrigerating the bar for a few minutes before breaking it, as this can help the chocolate to snap more cleanly.
Are the little squares on a Hershey’s bar a trademarked feature?
While the little squares on a Hershey’s bar are an iconic and recognizable feature of the company’s brand, they are not a trademarked feature in and of themselves. However, the overall design of the Hershey’s milk chocolate bar, including the score lines, is protected by trademark law.
This means that other companies are not allowed to create chocolate bars that are substantially similar in appearance to the classic Hershey’s milk chocolate bar. The unique combination of the rectangular shape, the score lines, and the distinctive packaging all contribute to the Hershey’s brand identity and are protected by law.
What do the little squares on a Hershey’s bar mean to chocolate lovers?
For many chocolate lovers, the little squares on a Hershey’s bar evoke memories of childhood and are closely associated with feelings of nostalgia and comfort. The iconic design has become an integral part of American pop culture, and the bars are often featured in movies, television shows, and literature.
For others, the little squares on a Hershey’s bar represent a sense of tradition and continuity. The company has been producing chocolate bars with the same basic design for over 120 years, and the familiar pattern of the score lines is a reassuring presence in an ever-changing world.