How Do You Pronounce the Candy: Rees-IS vs. Rees-EES?

We all know that those two little circular(ish) peanut butter cups are the greatest candy ever made. I mean, how can you go wrong with milk chocolate filled with yummy peanut butter? It's like a match made in candy heaven. You'd be hard-pressed to find many people who'd argue the fact that this is indeed the number one snack of choice for most people, yet the pronunciation of the name so prominently displayed on the heavenly orange and yellow wrapper is a source of contention.

Much like some of us argue on the correct pronunciation of pecan pie (by the way it's pee-KAHN), this too has people in disagreement. Well, wonder no longer, I have the answer!

According to the Hershey's Community Archives, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups get their name from their founder, Harry Burnett Reese. H.B. Reese started out in the candy business by managing dairy production for Milton S. Hershey. When the dairy barn shut down, he decided to try his hand at making candy for a living, and the R&R Candy Company was born.

Reese made various chocolate candies, but it became clear that the peanut butter cups were the star of the show. He maintained a close relationship with Hershey, using his chocolate to cover each bit of peanut butter and eventually, Hershey acquired Reese’s in 1963.

Since Reese’s is named after the man himself (and they're his peanut butter cups), the correct pronunciation is in fact “Rees-IS” instead of “Rees-EES." So the next time you and your friend get in an argument, let them know you’ve done your research.

By the way, it's hard to say "Rees-IS" with a Rees-IS in your mouth. :)