Thanks to a new state bill, the Hershey Kiss could become Pennsylvania’s official state candy. But before everything is official, we at Billy Penn wanted to know if our audience agreed that the Kiss is the best choice.
We polled readers on which Pa. candy they think should represent the Keystone State and the results are in. Readers were somewhat divided over this tough decision, but three candies proved to be clear favorites.
🥉 Third place: Hershey Kiss
BP readers gave the Hershey Kiss the bronze medal in our sweet standoff. The romantically named candy would certainly represent our state with pride. Unfortunately, the Kiss just didn’t seal the dea l— receiving 24.4% of the vote.
🥈 Second place: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups were a strong contender heading into our poll. Alas, the sweet and salty peanut butter treat came up short with just 26.1% of the vote. Quite the upset for a candy juggernaut and Pa. darling.
🥇 First place: Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews
The Peanut Chew felt like somewhat of an underdog in our poll. With less national name recognition than some of its flashier competitors, this local favorite — made with peanuts, molasses, and a smooth chocolate coating — isn’t your typical candy aisle headliner. However, in true Philly fashion, the humble bar proved to be a champion with a winning 31.5% of the vote.
Postgame analysis
Two Pennsylvanian legends duked it out in the end, proving that chocolate and peanut butter are a golden combo when it comes to candy.
Special shout out to Wilbur Buds, which came in fourth place with 5.3% of the vote. Wilbur Buds were not on our original list, so the write-in campaign for fourth is impressive. The chocolate from Lititz, Pa., somewhat resembles the Hershey Kiss with the same swirly top. And, according to one enthusiastic responder’s hot take, they taste “so much better than Hershey’s.”
Fifth place was a tie between Peeps and the Hershey Bar with 3.7%. What’s more, 2.1% of readers did consider Tastykakes candy and gave the local favorite their vote.
Peanut Chews could be a noble representative for the great State of Pennsylvania — a Philly treat developed during the Second World War to help fuel American soldiers that later made its way onto store shelves. WHYY even has them in our office vending machine.
House Bill 1030, which would anoint Hershey’s Kisses as our official state candy, passed in May and is now in the state Senate’s hands. It is hard to know when exactly the bill will move forward for the next vote, but given the news, perhaps it’s time to suggest that elected officials give Peanut Chews a second look. This debate is far from wrapped up.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
