Monday, September 21, 2009

UK vs US Cadbury Dairy Milk

Cadbury Dairy Milk ButtonsThere’s been a bit of chatter about Cadbury over the past few months. First, Cadbury is going Fair Trade with their most popular product, the Dairy Milk bar. Since the bar is the United Kingdom’s #1 selling bar with $852 million in sales buying only fair trade cocoa will make a huge difference for cocoa growing regions. (It’s also #1 in Australia and India.)

The second bit of news is that Kraft, the global food powerhouse that owns not only a large corner of the cheese food world but also Toblerone, Terry’s Chocolate and Cote d’Or, made a bid for Cadbury.

Cadbury has chocolate factories all over the world and each one has slightly different local takes on the product. Here in the United States the Cadbury Dairy Milk products aren’t even made by Cadbury, they’re made by Hershey’s under a licensing agreement. (But it’s not like Hershey’s even makes it from scratch, the major raw material of the chocolate crumb - a mixture of dried milk and chocolate - is shipped to Hershey, Pennsylvania to be combined on site with sugar and other ingredients to form the end product.)

American & British Cadbury Dairy MilkI thought it was high time to compare these two different recipes. So I found the closest products I could to compare.

I found a nice single serve block of Cadbury Dairy Milk from the UK. It was in marvelous condition and looked like it had been stored well at the India Sweets & Spices where I shop - it’s kept at the end of the produce section in the refrigerated area - so it’s climate controlled.

I also picked up a few of the super cute Dairy Milk Buttons, which are little chocolate disks.

For the American version I found a nice back of Dairy Milk Miniatures from Hershey’s Signatures line.

American & British Cadbury Dairy Milk

It’s apparent when putting them side by side like this that the American made (on the left) is darker than the UK made one (on the right). What I liked about these two products is that they single pieces of each were similar shapes & thickness.

Both have a nice sheen and are well molded.

UK Cadbury Dairy MilkThe UK Dairy Milk Bar features a lovely matte purple wrapper. It’s easy to open, though not easy to close.

I liked the deeply segmented bar that broke easily into pieces. Each is beveled, so it’s easy to snap off and easy to bite.

The bar smells sweet and rather cheesy, like cottage cheese or maybe yogurt. The cocoa notes are sweet, more like chocolate cake than cocoa. In fact, but those together and the closest I can get is this smells like a rich chocolate cheesecake.

The melt is thick and sticky; it’s sweet at first but then gives way to some deep toffee and caramel sugar notes. Then it gets sweet again ... a bit too sweet for me. After two pieces my throat was burning and I had to drink some water and eat some plain crackers.

The melt is consistent. Quite smooth but not silky or buttery. It didn’t feel fatty, it felt fudgy - like the sugar wasn’t quite integrated with the cocoa.

The dairy notes were decent, a little thick in the back of my throat but not as powdery tasting as some other European style milk chocolates.

Overall I would have preferred a much smoother & more chocolatey punch. However, that’s not what the Dairy Milk bar is about, it’s about the milk component as much as the chocolate, since there are near equal proportions. Milk solids clock in at 23% and cocoa solids are 20%. There are also about 5% vegetable fats in there taking the place of cocoa butter.

This is why the front of a Dairy Milk bar doesn’t even say chocolate - they’d have to put the vegetable statement on the front along with it by their current labeling standards.

Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons

I wanted to be as thorough as I could, so I also tasted a package of Dairy Milk Buttons which are kind of like Hershey’s Kisses in that they’re little nibbles of chocolate.

They’re about the diameter as pennies (though some were dime or nickel sized). The bottom has a little embossed Cadbury logo.

Each little piece is rather thin, so melts quickly on the tongue. They release the flavors quicker and taste more milky to me. There’s also a slight cool effect on the tongue.

I liked them, and the little shapes are probably very easy to combine with other items like nuts, popcorn or candies for a more varied mix of textures.

US Cadbury Dairy Milk

The American has a sweet, slightly tangy milk scent with a hint of toasted cocoa. The bit is soft but has a good snap to it. The melt is a bit on the sticky side but not overly sweet.

It has a bit of a fudgy flavor and texture, though much creamier. I wouldn’t go so far to call it silky, in fact parts of it were downright gritty. It had a good toasted & smoked taste to it, much darker in taste than the traditional Hershey’s or Mars.

The overt flavors are definitely of the dairy products, not of the chocolate.

It is Kosher ... the UK bar has no Kosher mark.

Okay, so they’re similar but not quite the same. I did some investigating on the labels:

First, it’s the ingredients.

Cadbury Dairy Milk from Bournville, UK
Milk, sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa mass, vegetable fat, emulsifiers, flavorings.
49 gram bar - Expiration: 11-2009

Cadbury Dairy Milk from Hershey, USA
Sugar, milk, chocolate, cocoa butter, lactose, soy lecithin, PGPR, natural and artificial flavor.
8.5 ounce miniatures package - Expiration: 12-2009

Since the portions & packages were so different, I did a little Excel magic on them and standardized it to compare:

image

From what I can tell, there is a just a smidge less fat in the American but slightly more sugar ... now these are tiny, tiny amounts. Not enough, as far as I know, to account for the color difference. Also, the UK labels are more precise - American standards allow rounding, UK measures in tenths.

I have no preference, except to say that I don’t care much for plain Dairy Milk. I prefer it with nuts in it and they do have an ample variety of bars that have nuts. It’s just too sweet and doesn’t have enough of a cocoa punch. I’ve become spoiled by the high cocoa content of products like Scharffen Berger and Amano when it comes to just eating by the piece.

For those in the United States, the British made bars can be found at import shops and places like Cost Plus World Market. For those in the UK, I’m sure it’s near impossible and pointless to get the American made stuff.

So it all comes down to personal preference. There are lots of folks who prefer the American made because it’s what they’ve grown up on. It’s a little bit firmer because of the all-cocoa-butter content but not quite as milky as the classic British made bars. Have you had both? Which do you prefer?

Related Candies

  1. Amano Milk Chocolate Ocumare
  2. Cadbury Dairy Milk Snack
  3. Scharffen Berger Milk Nibby Bar
  4. Cadbury Canadian Creme Eggs
  5. Cadbury Mini Eggs
  6. Dairy Milk Bubbly
  7. Flake Dipped
Name: Dairy Milk (UK & US)
    RATING:
  • 10 SUPERB
  • 9 YUMMY
  • 8 TASTY
  • 7 WORTH IT
  • 6 TEMPTING
  • 5 PLEASANT
  • 4 BENIGN
  • 3 UNAPPEALING
  • 2 APPALLING
  • 1 INEDIBLE
Brand: Cadbury
Place Purchased: India Sweets & Spices, Mel & Rose and Rite Aid (Echo Park)
Price: $1.49 (bar & buttons) & $4.99 (8.5 oz bag)
Size: 1.73 ounces & 8.5 ounces
Calories per ounce: 148
Categories: Chocolate, Cadbury, Hershey's, United States, United Kingdom, Kosher

POSTED BY Cybele AT 12:22 pm Tracker Pixel for Entry    

Comments
  1. My dad,Frank Altiere (deceasd) made candy for Peter Paul for 50 years.He left a little pad with candy recipes that were tentatively going to be made. Cadbury bought Peter Paul out.My entire family (except for myself and a cousin) were all employed at PP at one time or another.How sad to see Peter Paul empty on my last visit to Naugatuck,Conn.

    Comment by Mary Ann Altiere on 9/21/09 at 3:34 pm #
  2. english. i refer the melt and milky hot cocoa quality.

    Comment by vampiress on 9/21/09 at 4:58 pm #
  3. Awesome that they’re making it fair trade, do you know if it will be their choc from all over the world or only in the UK?

    Comment by Leigh on 9/22/09 at 12:46 am #
  4. The UK bar is certainly much better looking; I think it’s definitely sweeter than the US version, too, but I don’t mind at all. I hate “strong” chocolate—more than 30% or so cocoa solids and the bar is too bitter for me. What can I say, I have the taste buds of a five-year-old!

    Comment by Alix on 9/22/09 at 3:01 am #
  5. I always say that finding out US and UK chocolate is different is like finding out the Beatles albums were different in the US and UK!

    Comment by the surfing pizza on 9/22/09 at 5:51 am #
  6. I moved next door to a British import shop as I started high school, and was thrilled to discover the UK Cadbury’s. I find them much superior and enjoy the slightly milkier flavor and creamier texture. I’m not a huge fan of their darker chocolates, but for milk UK Cadbury’s wins my mainstream vote.

    Comment by Mori-neko on 9/22/09 at 6:27 am #
  7. I much prefer the UK version.  Right now my favourite mix is the white chocolate buttons, dried sour cherries and salted cashews!

    Comment by Heather on 9/22/09 at 7:58 am #
  8. I live in the US but holiday in the UK most years.  I much much much prefer the UK version.  Hershey chocolate (and, by extension, US Cadburys) always tastes slightly off to me.  The Cadbury version is sweeter, yes, but it’s got a cleaner, fresher taste to me.  I agree that plain Cadbury’s is a bit much - I prefer it nonplain.  But the buttons are perfect!

    Comment by Dragon on 9/22/09 at 7:58 am #
  9. As a Brit I have never tried the US version but I always remember a friend bringing a bag of Hershey’s Kisses into college one day. It’s plain that us Brits prefer our chocolate sweeter - not one person liked the Hershey’s Kisses!

    Comment by Nikki on 9/22/09 at 9:44 am #
  10. I agree with your assessment.  I’ve always found Cadbury’s Dairy Milk to be much too sweet to eat on its own.

    There are English chocolates that I enjoy.  I think that the dark Terry’s Orange is near perfect.

    The only UK chocolate product that I really want to try is a Curly-Wurly.

    Comment by Dave on 9/22/09 at 8:39 pm #
  11. @ Dragon, I think American chocolate is made with a different process from European chocolate which gives it that sour milk taste which can be a little offputting if you haven’t grown up with it.
    I’m not sure if repeated exposure helps with that though as I’ve never grown to like it.

    Comment by Leigh on 9/23/09 at 1:24 am #
  12. Leigh, I think that most American chocolate is made with condensed liquid milk and most European milk chocolate is made with powdered milk.  That probably makes a difference in the taste of the ingredients, but also in how the chocolate has to be processed before making it a bar (temp and time).

    I didn’t use to like Hershey’s because of its twang, but I kind of do now.  Repeated exposure can make it better.

    Comment by Dave on 9/23/09 at 1:55 am #
  13. US chocolate especially Hershey (which makes Cadbury in the US) has a burnt milk flavor to it by design.  While english chocolate does not in most cases.  This helps contribute to the full creamy flavor too. 

    Personally - I think the difference in quality between UK and US bars is undeniably in favor of the UK.  The sheer richness in the chocolate as it melts in your mouth is without match.

    Comment by Kirk on 9/23/09 at 3:02 am #
  14. I live in the UK and Cadbury’s always been my favourite chocolate. This was really interesting to read - I never knew it was so different. I’m going to find a Hersheys-Cadburys chocolate bar methinks. Maybe I have some willing over-sea friends? smile

    Comment by Jeanette Nam on 9/23/09 at 5:49 am #
  15. For the record, I am a born-and-bred American.  I just am a severe Anglophile smile

    Jeanette - if you send me UK chocolate, I’ll be thrilled to send you US chocolate!

    Comment by Dragon on 9/23/09 at 6:38 am #
  16. Hey Dragon! :D I’d be up for that. You can contact me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

    Comment by Jeanette Nam on 9/24/09 at 8:53 am #
  17. Dave, it’s actually partly the opposite way round lol much European chocolate is made with powdered milk, but Cadbury’s in the UK is made with pure fresh liquid milk whereas the Hershey Cadbury is made with powdered.

    Comment by alan on 9/24/09 at 11:37 am #
  18. Cybele's avatar

    Alan - “chocolate crumb” is not the same thing as powdered milk. It’s the base from which all Cadbury chocolate (and all milk chocolate) is made. It’s simply the combination of the chocolate mass & milk products ... from whatever origin they were.

    Whether the milk starts in liquid form or not, most of the water is removed from it using whatever proprietary means in their given process - basically oil & water don’t mix and that means milk & cocoa butter don’t get along too well either. Milk solids & cocoa butter ... well, they play really nicely.

    Comment by Cybele on 9/24/09 at 11:42 am #
  19. I think the comments above prove fairly conclusively that the UK chocolate is better smile

    Comment by alan on 9/24/09 at 12:06 pm #
  20. Cybele's avatar

    Alan - define better?

    With more artery clogging palm oil? Yay! You win!

    There is no better, only preferred. (That must be said in a Yoda voice.)

    I’m not sure why you have this need for one to be better than the other ... they’re both Cadbury. One is made on Hershey’s premises. Cadbury has lots of factories all over the planet. They don’t make identical chocolate everywhere. But they’re really clever to have made your favorite.

    Comment by Cybele on 9/24/09 at 12:13 pm #
  21. By better I mean generally better quality and taste, and generally speaking UK European and UK chocolate tends to be considered better quality.
    Like I say UK Cadbury themselves have always made apoint of refering to using fresh liquid milk rather than powdered, despite the processes they go through (which may be similar technically)there is a big difference in the end result.

    I don’t so much have a need for one to be better than the other (anymore than the next person) but I much prefer UK chocolate to US chocolate so would be pretty horrified if Cadbury was merged/taken over etc by Hershey as it would no doubt lead to fundamental changes in the chocolate (which doesn’t sit well with british tastes) production, loss of heritage etc etc etc.

    Comment by alan on 9/24/09 at 12:21 pm #
  22. Cybele's avatar

    Alan - I still don’t know how you can say that the quality is measurably different. UK DM is diluted with vegetable oils. US DM is diluted with lactose. Why is one better? It just is. You can want to eat one more and I grant you that.

    I don’t know why you keep mentioning the fresh milk issue ...

    If you want to say that UK or European chocolate is better quality (or perhaps uses better ingredients), then you’re going to have to have eaten something other than Hershey’s or Mars, as that’s not the only chocolate in the States. Dove (Mars), Guittard, Scharffen Berger (Hershey’s), Ghirardelli, Amano, Askinosie, Peter’s, Wilbur and Theo are a good place to start.

    As I mentioned before, Hershey’s is not your threat, it’s Kraft and though they’re an American company they own huge holdings in Europe, including Terry’s Chocolate, Toblerone & Cote d’Or.

    I don’t wish to see Cadbury scooped up (though a Hershey’s merger would probably be just that - the companies are more comparably sized and hold different markets so there wouldn’t be so much competition within the company, more complements). But Cadbury probably needs to hear that from you, not me.

    Comment by Cybele on 9/24/09 at 1:03 pm #
  23. Couldn’t ever stand Cadbury.  Except at Easter and Christmas - the eggs and Terry’s Orange (does that even count?) But even then when I’m done I feel like I have to rinse and brush my teeth for an hour or they’ll all fall out from the sugar.  It’s just too sweet!

    I’m in love with Meiji chocolate at the moment.  Mmmmmmm.  Chocolatey, not too sweet.  My other love, of course, is still Hershey’s (comes with the territory, I guess.)

    Comment by Tindy on 9/24/09 at 1:41 pm #
  24. I have to say, being Australian, that nothing beats the classic, original Australian Cadbury.
    Now I am yet to try the British Cadbury, so cannot judge on that, but I have to say that the Cadbury I tried in America was just plain awful. It tasted like a cheap and nasty imitation of the Australian version. I have also tried Cadbury in South East Asia - its made in Malaysia, i think and it was even worse than the American. In my opinion, nothing beats Australian Cadbury, although I did stumble across an article recently from New Zealand, where they have recently replaced the New Zealand made Cadbury with blocks imported from Australia and the New Zealanders are not happy! So perhaps the New Zealand Cadbury is even better than the Australia, however I believe that it is probably a case of liking the chocolate you grew up with best of all, which in my case is pure Australian Cadbury from the factory in Tasmania.

    Comment by Mel on 9/24/09 at 8:45 pm #
  25. I brought back 20 Cadbury bars back from the
    Uk 2 days ago and my kids and their friends have devored them all. Kids know best. UK Cadbury is the best.

    Comment by gc on 9/26/09 at 6:09 am #
  26. There are a lot of comments re “European” Chocolate. Please remember British chocolate is different to contiental chocolate.

    I am sat here with some Hersheys after coming back from the US. I have to amid I prefer Cadburys by a long way.

    I do however find it sad that Chocolates in the US are americanised so that general US public don’t get the chnace to try flavours from around the world.

    Comment by JB on 9/29/09 at 8:58 am #
  27. Alan (21)

    I don’t think you really have to worry about Cadburys being bought out. Certainly not by Hersheys, which is half the size. It is just more dominant in the USA. Have you ever seen hersheys on sale in a high street shop in the UK? or in wider Europe?

    Remember Caburys doesn’t just do “Cadbury” branded products. It is also the worlds no 2 in chewing gum with brands such as trident etc.

    Comment by JB on 9/29/09 at 9:10 am #
  28. Cadbury? Differs from country to country manufacturers. I have had an Australian “choco-holic” test out my taste that there are differences. She said that the bars made in Australia are smoother and richer tasting then European and American versions. She hates the taste of the American made bars! Not comparable in quality or taste to what is sold by See’s Candies!

    Comment by Tom on 10/07/09 at 6:49 am #
  29. I?ve spent a great deal of time in the US and have to say I never realised there was a difference between the US and UK version of Dairy Milk though I have never tried the US DM! Although I do like both the UK Dairy Milk and Hersheys, I agree they do have slightly different tastes but I?m not sure if I would choose one over the other. However I would be disappointed to see either replaced by either in their respective countries. Now, if we could figure out how to get Utz to sell their potato chips in the UK, life would be so much better.

    For the Brits out there that haven?t tried them and are old enough to remember I would say remember Tudor!  Before they were brought and closed by Walkers (Lays).

    Comment by John on 10/29/09 at 6:25 am #
  30. God! someone else remembers Tudor crisps! I loved their pickled onion crisps. Did they make spring onion flavour too? I remember eating them when I was a wee girl in the ‘80s…

    Comment by Susan on 10/29/09 at 10:30 am #
  31. Hi Susan and yes they did. Along with Tomato Ketchup, Beef Barbecue, Prawn Cocktail. And there’s not another brand in the UK that I think tastes as good.

    But if you ever have to opportunity to try the Utz brand, I think you will agree they have a very similar taste. Sad as its sounds it usually the first thing i buy when I land on American soil…

    Comment by John on 10/29/09 at 11:36 am #
  32. Well I’m allergic to soy and coeliac on top of that and the only chocolate I can find that doesn’t contain soy lecithin are some varieties of the UK cadbury chocolates. So I have to say, despite coming from Australia, that I’m all for the UK brand.  Both the US and AU cadbury milk chocolate coverture contain soy :(

    Comment by Amy on 12/30/10 at 7:20 pm #
  33. JB (27) I know what you mean, but Hershey’s has actaully made efforts to make a mark here, they now have a deal with Asda (Walmart) to sell Hershey/Reeses stuff. I cant see it being overly popular to be honest, despite their claims that the Brits love it lol

    Comment by Alan on 12/31/10 at 3:15 am #
  34. It would be interesting to try the American version of Cadbury one day. I’m a British-born Australian - grew up mostly with the Australian version, and it really is my favourite!

    But UK Galaxy beats it - and Hershey’s cookies and cream, though not comparable with the plain milk chocolates, is lovely too :D

    Comment by Nic on 5/24/11 at 8:22 pm #
  35. I have been eating Cadbury from England and the united states for years and I can tell from the picture one is Carmel filled chocolate and the other is Solid chocolate. The one you say is made in USA looks exactly like the Carmel one I just ate from England…Strange!!!

    Comment by marissa on 6/22/11 at 6:27 pm #
  36. I’m late to the party, but here are my two cents:

    I dislike American and British Dairy Milk, but my favourite milk chocolate is Canadian made Dairy Milk. Canadian Dairy Milk has a rich flavour and it melts wonderfully on the tongue. American Dairy Milk has that sour milk taste and smell common to American chocolate products, and the UK version is a bit waxy in mouth feel and is very sweet.

    I prefer fairly bitter, rich chocolate. Normally I only buy dark chocolate, but I will buy a (Canadian!) Dairy Milk now and then. I’ve yet to find a Cadbury dark chocolate that isn’t horribly sweet.

    Comment by Doofa on 9/01/11 at 8:44 pm #
  37. I work in Ireland and i always been surprised on how irish and british people are proud of their Cadbury. Im sorry but to me it has to be the worth chocolate in europe. (not my opinion but opinion of basically all people in europe except anglo saxon countries.) I also tasted the american version and its the same dull, very sugary and plastic kind of taste. Same go to hersheys .. A poor cocoa ratio compared to chocolates in my country in France.
    To me nothing can beat Belgium, Swiss of French chocolates. Even if you take a basic Cote d’or or or Lindt there is no comparison with even the luxuray range of cadbury.
    Italy has also some very nice nutty taste chocolates.
    If i go irish i go Butler all the way. Butler is a very nice brand in comparison.
    Funny enough everytime i brought back from trips some delicious chocolates to my mates in Dublin or London , they started to realise that cadbury was not that good after all.

    Comment by xavier on 3/13/12 at 2:12 pm #
  38. xavier - Butlers is quite nice, although it really runs along the same lines as Cadbury. To call Cadbvurys the worst chocolate in Europe is ridiculous, it is far from that. It wouldnt have been around as long as it has if it was trust me!Unfortunately your comment is rather typically French, slightly pompous and self serving with no real idea of what theyre talking about. I don’t care for French chocolate as it is very bitter generally. Something youve failed to note is the price.. the supposedly ‘better’ chocolates you metion are not everyday chocolates, theyre chocolate brands youd buy as an expensive gift. I know I certianly would. Also comparimng our delicious UK Dairy Milk to the horrendous Hershey is a true insult.

    Comment by Alan on 3/13/12 at 2:36 pm #
  39. Cybele's avatar

    Alan - lovely. How about you keep your opinions about nationalities to yourself and generalize about the products they make?

    Here’s what I have to say: every country on this planet is capable of making bad chocolate. That has so very little to do with the quality. It might indicate style, on the other hand.

    As I’ve said before, whatever you like is what you should buy. But there’s no reason to treat people badly because something makes them happy.

    Comment by Cybele on 3/13/12 at 3:04 pm #
  40. Having lived all over the place during the past 30 years, I have come across a wide range of chocolate, including the various ethnic versions of Dairy Milk. I’m a committed fan of the British version (and do respect that some of the Belgian/Swiss more expensive brands are delicious).
    In discussions with retailers and other consumers, I’ve been led to believe that a significant factor in the local recipe is the inclusion of ingredients whoch prevent melting on the shop shelf (not needed in Britain !).
    So, one of the best outcomes of the British climate is the delicious chocolate, containing no anti-melt additives !

    Comment by fester on 4/21/12 at 11:02 pm #
  41. I find the UK chocolate is a lot better then the US chocolate. My friends over in the UK send me chocolate all the time from there and it is nothing like American chocolate. It just melts in your mouth and is so much more creamier.

    Comment by chocolate addict on 5/22/12 at 8:20 am #
  42. This has been an interesting discussion.  Just got back from London, have always loved the UK Cadbury FAR more than the US version and brought back several bars for friends.  Similar to recent comments, I had always heard that the reason US chocolate is not as creamy is that there are ingredients/additives to prevent melting due to our extreme temps.  I’ve always thought Hershey bars tasted waxy and thought that was related to this issue?  Maybe not…but there is a noticeable difference to me between UK and US version.

    Comment by Lisa on 6/05/12 at 1:22 am #
  43. The crux of the matter seems to me that the UK Cadbury contains up to 5% vegetables fats, which is the EU legal limit. Cadbury’s communication never mentions this important fact and it means they can replace expensive cocoa with cheap veg. fat, like palm oil. France and the other countries who opposed the move had to cave in, letting a product which is NOT 100% chocolate be called “chocolate”. There are hundreds of different flavours of chocolate, let’s be honest and recognise that we should only compare the taste of “100% chocolate”. Whatever their taste may be, I support the US and AUS Cadbury if they fit in that category!

    Comment by Froggy on 7/31/12 at 1:46 pm #
  44. Froggy - 5% is a very small amount indeed, and also why the UK chocolate tastes better than the US or Australian. Remember that the UK - original - recipe dates back to 1905, long before all this modern day malarky surrounding what is chocolate and what isnt. If the Australian recipe was the same as the UK one originally (which it probably was) they wouldnt kick up such a ridiculous fuss over a very small recipe change. The UK one is by far the original and best.

    I personally support my own countries chocolate! Of course there are better chocolates out there, but it’s still all chocolate! It’s like saying a bar with nuts or nougat in can’t be called a chocolate bar.

    Comment by Alan on 7/31/12 at 2:13 pm #
  45. Alan- Nevertheless, the decision to add something extra, be it nuts, nougat or orange peels, derives from a will to create something more “valuable”, a recipe of sorts, which would increase our pleasure (for lack of a better expression). Whereas the lobbies who wanted to incorporate vegetable fats did it just because palm oil is cheaper than cocoa butter. The best example I have is in France, where all the big manufacturers launch “specialty chocolate” in which chocolate doesn’t represent more than 55% of the content. However, if we stick to taste only, I tried a blind taste session with my son two days ago, using UK Cad. Dairy Milk and some Green & Black’s Organic Milk Chocolate and the former won hands down! There is no correct answer as far as taste is concerned. Regards
    PS: Funny I remember visiting Cadbury World, and they mentioned the fact that the Cadbury founders fought against “adulterated” chocolate in their time. I wonder what they would make of that.

    Comment by Froggy on 8/01/12 at 8:56 am #
  46. I have been buying your large Cadbury Milk chocolate bars for my father I just opened a bar and a worm in the bar I have taken a photo of the bar and the worm Thank-you

    Comment by Patty Faulkner on 9/02/12 at 1:59 pm #
  47. While I respect your opinion Cybele I will have to disagree with it. I much prefer much of the British Chocolate offerings to the American counterparts (in my mind I’m largely comparing Cadbury’s with Hershey). I have no doubt that this is due to being born in Britain to British parents and raised in Canada by my British Grandparents and Father. I absolutely love the milky taste (not that I don’t enjoy Lindt’s 70% cocoa bar either, they are just completely different) and I certainly would never describe it as a sour or off milk scent or flavour. By comparison I have found Hershey chocolate (in this case thinking of Hershey’s kisses) to be waxy (which to my tastes is quite off putting) and with an almost sour undertone which frankly reminds me of vomit. I am entirely sure that you are correct in your assertion that there is no better simply preference, but I thought I might explain why I go for British or other European Chocolate over American almost every time. One exception is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups which I actually quite enjoy, but that’s because the peanut butter plays such a prominent role in the overall taste.

    Comment by James Schofield on 10/28/12 at 1:39 pm #
  48. I dont like that USA made Dairy Milk has PGPR, an artificial product which acts as cheap substitute for Cocoa butter

    Comment by Aashita on 11/06/12 at 4:31 pm #
  49. Being born in the U.S. I grew up thinking I knew what this thing called chocolate was. After having recently spent a few years in a former British colony (and still current importer of terrific UK products) I now know that I was wrong!

    After becoming addicted to UK Cadbury chocolates—my favorite is Fruit & Nut Dairy Milk followed closely by Creme Eggs—I find many US made “chocolates” almost intolerable. Hershey’s should really call their product something like “Brown Semi-solid Melt”. There are a few US manufacturers I don’t mind (Ghirardelli makes a few nice products, although I don’t think I’ve tried their plain chocolate), but US Cadbury pales in comparison to UK in my estimation.

    Comment by Sid on 12/04/12 at 2:15 pm #
  50. I have been in the USA since 1967 and have ALWAYS said the UK Cadbury chocolate was MUCH better especially after I had years ago sent my Mum a few LARGE Bars of plain Cadbury chocolate bars that she used to love,she wrote back saying “it tastes funny” and even though it says on the wrapper Cadbury ,is IT ?
    I told her back then maybe its because the cows eat different types of grasses etc as I knew it was made here but assumed it was the same as Cadbury in Bournville where I lived close to while growing up and toured UMMM what a treat
    Now I try to get family to send me some or go on line to the British shops NOTHING tastes as good to me

    Comment by Carole Bourne on 1/12/13 at 5:36 am #
  51. I think the American made Dairy Milk is slightly better than the British made one, but really, neither come close to the Indian made Dairy Milk. That’s by far the best!

    Comment by Vivek on 1/18/13 at 1:46 pm #
  52. It get’s more expensive to do now with weight restrictions and bag limits, but each time I visit the UK, I stock up on the chocolate goodies I was raised on in early childhood.  It might be nostalgia that cements my conviction that UK Dairy Milk is superior to the licensed version here in the states.  You will not find very many Brits or Europeans that will rave about American chocolate, their experience is usually Hershey’s and as far as their concerned you could put a wick in it and use is as a chocolate scented candle.  I make due with our American versions, Hershey/Nestle.. yet, when you think of cheap choc which we’re discussing here, almost any swiss brand beats the UK/US version hands down.  In this particular blog, I give the solid edge to Cadbury UK.

    Comment by Terry on 1/20/13 at 3:06 am #
  53. I have always love Cadbury’s chocolate buttons, when, as a child, my friends with British mothers would bring them back from the UK. Then I discovered you could get Cadbury’s mini eggs in the US, BUT ONLY around Easter. So, I looked forward to eating them every year at Easter.

    Last year, I travelled in Ireland and ate UK buttons to my heart’s content, with no ill effects due to my lactose intolerance.

    Two days ago with Easter around the corner, I picked up some mini eggs made by Hershey’s in the US at the local shop and proceeded to eat 2 of the small bags in quick succession. About an hour later, I became incredibly nauseated and went home. The next 12 hours were a terrible experience of vomiting, fever, dizziness and extreme nausea. I had eaten other foods that day, but only threw up the mini eggs.

    Then I checked the package and saw that, unlike its UK counterpart, Hershey’s makes the US mini eggs with LACTOSE, SOY LECITHIN (I’m also soy intolerant), and CORN SYRUP (the most disgusting thing ever invented by man).

    In an experiment last night, I ate about 10 more mini eggs (again after having eaten other foods yesterday) and quickly became nauseated again. Additionally I experienced numbness in my extremities (hands and feet). Went to the bathroom and induced vomiting and felt better about 30 minutes later.

    I think Hershey’s should have to put a warning on the mini eggs package that because of their ingredient difference (LACTOSE and SOY LECITHIN, and CORN SYRUP added), they should not be consumed by people with lactose intolerance/allergy.

    Why would they make this adjustment to a perfectly good recipe? Guess our crappy, hormone-laden, factory farmed American milk doesn’t have enough milk fat or sugar in it? To save money by using government subsidized soy and corn as fillers? Unfortunately, these adjustments made me very ill, which does not happen often.

    Comment by Rachel on 2/27/13 at 8:08 am #
  54. My South African born wife prefers the UK Cadburys chocolates as opposed to the South African Cadburys chocolates.
    Her reasoning is, It rains more in the UK, therefore the grass is more luscious, therefore the milk is more richer, therefore the chocolate is more creamy,

    Comment by Bryn on 3/06/13 at 12:22 am #
  55. Hershey’s ruins everything they buy out or license.  They deep-sixed Switzer’s licorice in favor of Twizzlers—a faint imitation of decent licorice.  And Hershey’s version of Cadbury’s doesn’t begin to compare to UK.  I’ve been known to cross to Canada just to get the good stuff.

    Comment by Bea on 3/06/13 at 5:58 pm #
  56. I got to this site looking to find out why I hate the taste of Australian Cadbury chocolate, both milk and dark. I have not found the answer but have to mention that by law any chocolate product containing fats other than cocoa butter must be labelled ‘compounded chocolate’ and all foods must be labelled with an allergen statement if contain or might contain milk, soy, peanuts, tree nuts or egg.
    Is Australia over governed or what?!

    Comment by Marg on 5/01/13 at 4:57 pm #
  57. PGPR, artificial flavours… mmmm… yummy! No wonder the American version tastes like shit. Then again, so does most American chocolate. It’s sad nearly all American consumers will never rise above Lindt…

    Comment by Clive McHolland on 5/11/13 at 5:53 am #
  58. I’m from Mars, and I just want to say that no Earth-origin version of Dairy Milk beats Martian Dairy Milk.  The fresh Martian milk from Martian cows combined with the most delicate Martian cocoa beans and hearty Martian sugar is just perfect.  Be jealous, Earthlings!

    Comment by Paul on 5/15/13 at 4:06 pm #
  59. Hershey’s Dairy Milk is pure rubbish. If you gave it to someone in Europe without the wrapper, they’d never believe it was remotely related.

    American’s aren’t big on chocolate, you only have to look how poor the options are in supermarkets, and how few units sell. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll know why. Even the dedicated artisan specialist stuff taste like waxy grit.

    Comment by paul on 5/30/13 at 1:43 pm #
  60. Aashita, you said you don’t like American Dairy Milk because it has PGPR.  However, British Dairy Milk has E476 as an emulsifier.  E476 *IS* PGPR.  And “flavourings” includes the possibility of artificial flavors as well.  I grant that you prefer the British version.  However, it can’t be for the reasons you think.  The main difference between the two seems to be vegetable oil (British), lactose (American), and a slight difference in ratios of milk solids vs. cocoa.

    Comment by John Mury on 6/14/13 at 1:37 pm #
  61. I prefer the UK version because there are no transgenic genetically modified ingredients. In the US where former Monsanto employee Michael Taylor went to the FDA and wrote the guidelines for approving genetically modified foods before returning to work again at Monsanto, before being re-appointed to the FDA by President GMO-bama to “Head of Food Safety” would you believe, GMO ingredients aren’t required to be labeled but there are several of them in the USA Dairy Milk, there are none in the UK version which has to be labeled. The general consensus of North American government regulatory agencies is that these foods are well tested and safe, yet these agencies are all overrun like the federal government with people who have huge conflicts of interests due to former ties with Monsanto.

    Independent science does NOT support the safety of GMO crops and that is before you even get into the effects of the huge increases in chemicals being used to grow them on the soil (mycorrhyzial fungi) and the amount of glyphosate now being found in ever European humans where usage is nowhere near as high as the US.

    Limit sugar intake of course, but I won’t eat North American chocolate unless it’s organic because that’s the only way to avoid GMOs. Most shops near me seem to multiply the cost of an item by 10x for US dollars. Last time I looked at a 79p bottle of Orange Barley Water the shop has it listed for US$7.49!! Holy!!

    UK chocolate rules, just like their crisps do. Pickled Onion Monster Munch, Nice N Spicy Nik Naks, Scampi chips, Walkers several varieties, Cadbury’s Boost, Lion bars (not Cadbury), Double Deckers, Wispa, Crunchie, Curly-Wurly, so good!!

    Comment by Steve on 6/25/13 at 12:44 pm #
  62. hey, What is your cardsapp brand number? thanks

    Comment by Gloria williams on 9/12/13 at 9:10 pm #
  63. I just but a Cadbury Caramel bar made in Usa, and this chocolate isn’t what it used to be. It taste like burned and is crap.

    Comment by Chocolatier on 2/17/14 at 1:27 pm #
  64. We have holiday’d in Orlando several times over the last five years, and key to the treats we looked forward to on an evening when watching a movie on the hotel on demand system was irn bru, ritz biscuits, and british chocolate, ranging from dairy milk, galaxy, twix,picnic bars, and kitkats, and we made sure they were all proper imported, our walgreens had an aisle with nothing but imported british food, it cost but it was worth it.  I’ve tried hersheys, we brought it back, at least 70% of my colleagues including me thought it had an aftertaste of vomit.  This has been mentioned before so clearly not just me, a clear difference in tastes!

    Comment by Colin Cowie on 8/03/14 at 3:20 pm #
  65. I haven’t bought a Cadbury Fruit and Nut bar in YEARS. I knew that the US bars were made here by Hershey; which is why it’s been years since I had one! But, today, I decided to forgo my usual Milka bar at the local CVS (about once a week I get one), and went with the Hershey-made Cadbury.

    Well… it was almost the same as a Hershey bar! Mostly plastic-like in texture, and really didn’t dissolve in my mouth like real milk-chocolate. Yikes! Never again!

    Comment by Ron Obvious on 8/06/14 at 11:14 am #
  66. Hey I read an article that I think got their information in the first paragraph (maybe in other paragraphs too) from the research you did in this article. Isn’t that plagiarism? The article should at least give you credit. Here is the link to the article that I think used your findings to substantiate their article:
    http://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/nov/08/cadbury-america-hershey 

    Btw I loved your review between the UK and US version of Cadbary chocolate. I’m going to go out and buy some UK brand before it’s all gone here in the US. I’ve never had it before but just learned of the ban by Hershey. Tragic that my children will never taste it. Hershey’s should be ashamed.

    Comment by BabyL on 2/10/15 at 8:08 pm #
  67. Hi, I like to know if all the products from Cadbury & Hershey are Halal in Canada & U.S.A.
    Thanks,
    Rao

    Comment by Khudabux Rao on 2/21/16 at 1:28 pm #
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