Hershey's chocolate has butyric acid, which is also found in vomit. The acid is allegedly a byproduct, but it helps stabilize the chocolate and prevent it from melting. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hersheys-chocolate-tastes-like-vomit_l_60479e5fc5b6af8f98bec0cd

[–] AFKBRBChocolate@lemmy.world 2 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

I don't know if it's an urban legend, but the story I had always heard was that chocolate became very scarce during the war, as milk was rationed, but Hershey's figured out how to make decent tasting chocolate from spoiled milk, which was easier to get since no one wanted it. The war went on long enough that Americans eventually expected chocolate to taste like that, so after it ended they reformulated to keep the signature taste while using fresh milk.

[–] Aux@feddit.uk 1 points 15 hours ago

It's a myth. It's all about the milk powder manufacturing process. The American process increases butyric acid content.a different process is used in Europe.

[–] Aux@feddit.uk 1 points 15 hours ago

Butyric acid is a natural ingredient of milk. Surprisingly, in small amounts it creates a creamy sensation. It is used for that purpose in many natural and synthetic flavourings.

The problem with American milk chocolate is the way they produce milk powder - their method increases butyric acid content turning creamy sensation into vomit.