Candy Hearts, Popular candies share sweet words of love

Candy Hearts, Popular candies share sweet words of love – There are many ways to say, “I love you,.” For Valentine’s Day celebrants, various sentiments may be expressed with candy – particularly candy hearts. #CandyHearts

Candy Hearts, Popular candies share sweet words of love

Candy hearts, also called Conversation Hearts® and Sweethearts® (similarly Love Hearts in the UK), are sweet, chalky confections that have been around for more than 100 years. The conversation about candy hearts began back in 1847 when Oliver Chase, a Boston pharmacist, wanted to get in on the apothecary lozenge craze that was popular at the time.

Lozenges were common remedies for sore throats and bad breath, and were growing in popularity as a convenient medical treatment. Chase invented a machine that could roll out lozenge dough and press it into perfect discs, a time-saving improvement on the manual process used until then. Chase eventually abandoned making lozenges and the pharmacy business, ultimately realizing his machine could be used to make candies. He formed the New England Confectionery Company and began producing what would eventually be known as NECCO wafers.

Wanting to get in on his brother’s candy empire, Daniel Chase saw an opportunity to build on the growing popularity of Valentine’s cards by printing words on candy with vegetable dye during the cutting process. In 1866, conversation candies began as round confections and were much bigger than today’s heart varieties. It wouldn’t be until 1902 that conversation candy hearts became available.

Through the years, the candies became smaller and the sentiments expressed on the hearts have been updated to stay current with the times. Phrases like “LOL,” “BFF” and “Text me” have replaced some less modern sentiments.

At the height of the candies’ popularity, NECCO estimated that it made nearly 100,000 pounds of the hearts each day throughout the year in preparation for Valentine’s Day.

In 2019, NECCO filed for bankruptcy and did not produce the iconic candy hearts while it was being purchased by an investment company called Round Hill Investments, LLC. Round Hill decided to sell NECCO to another candy company. Fortune magazine reported Spangler Candy Co., which took over rights to NECCO’s iconic brands, would manufacture candy hearts in 2020. Similar conversation hearts also are available through Brach’s candy company.

Candy hearts have long been a way to share sweet words of affection and a sugary treat with the ones you love.

Check out these Valentine Related Blog Post:

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1. 40+ Christian Pick Up Lines
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3. Candy Hearts, Popular candies share sweet words of love
4. Colors of Valentine’s Day
5. Happy Valentine’s Day
6. Hearts and Valentine’s Day are forever intertwined
7. Heart-Shaped Chocolate Box and its Sewing Origins
8. History of Kissing
9. How Chocolate Became Tied to Valentine’s Day
10. How did “XO” come to symbolize kisses and hugs?
11. Origins of the Heart-Shaped Chocolate Box
12. Penny Date
13. Purse Puzzles
14. Types of Chocolates
15. Valentine in John 3:16
16. Valentine’s Day Traditions from Around the World
17. Valentine’s Day Quiz Printable
18. Who is St. Valentine?
19. Why is Valentine’s Day Celebrated on February 14th?

Article Compliments of MetroCreative. TF202681 – First published February 14, 2020. Last updated or republished January 18, 2021.

About the Author

Steve Patterson

A Christian Blogger that enjoys blogging about the Bible, Theology, God, Jesus Christ, Christian Music, Family, Cats, Odd Holidays, sewing and much more. I have been blogging since 2004, however, I have been blogging on Courageous Christian Father since 2012. I enjoy listening to Christian Music. I am married with 1 daughter, 2 step-sons and a step daughter.

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