Have some chocolate flavors changed? Is it me, or has the taste

[LuckyLib]

of Toll House semi sweet chocolate chips changed? They seem to have a different taste. Same with Guittards milk chocolate chips.

I'm wondering if those companies are sourcing different chocolate these days.

[elleng]

1. I haven't checked those,

but I wouldn't be surprised at all. Many/most corps change their 'recipes,' via sourcing or otherwise. For one, I've noticed this week changes in Stouffer's French Bread pizza. Pisses me off!

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. I've not liked the flavor of Nestle Toll House in many years - Ghirardelli far better

But as smaller companies get swallowed up - like Scharffenberger, when Hershey bought them - the drop off in quality (cheaper ingredients) is sadly inevitable.

[left-of-center2012]

3. Money?

Seems I've heard a shortage has raised the price.

[LuckyLib]

5. I had heard that as well. Wonder if they are getting cheaper chocolate

from new locations in South America or Africa.

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. The ingredients are different.

So is the sweetener. They use HFC.
Nestles just made headlines by announcing they are going back to sugar in some of their chocolate bars
as well as more real cocoa.

I make brownies and chocolate pudding from scratch now, the Hersey's Cocoa still seems to be real.

[bananas]

6. There's a chocolate shortage.

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/nov/21/cocoa-crisis-world-chocolate-stash-melting-away

http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2015/01/23/cocoa_research_centre_in_trinidad_hopes_to_solve_global_chocolate_shortage.html

[noamnety]

9. Planet Money had a good podcast about this recently.

They talked at length about the flavor problems with the disease resistant strain being grown.

[hollysmom]

7. enestle said

they were going to use vanilla instead of vanillin

[yellerpup]

8. Yes I've not only noticed a change of taste

in Nestle's chocolate chips but they also have a different, gummier texture. I stopped buying them years ago and now go for Lindt, Giradelli, or Costco chocolate chips. Costco seems to me the ones like the old Nestle chips and the cost is lowest.

[dem in texas]

10. No Deep Chocolate Taste

Yes, I have noticed that the taste is no longer as deep as it used to be. Best thing in the world is a chocolate cream pie with a tall meringue. Last time I had a slice at my favorite diner, it did not have that good, deep chocolate taste. Guess I'll make my own using cocoa.

[bif]

11. I've heard that Hershey's is all made in Mexico

Not that it's a fine chocolate or anything. I heard the tour in Hershey PA is all fake and just for show. And that they pump in the chocolate odor!

[hobbit709]

12. 90% of American chocolate is crap.

Little actual chocolate, HFCS, more chocolate flavoring than chocolate.

[LuckyLib]

13. Thanks for all of the information!

[Auggie]

14. I noticed it too n/t