Sweethearts (also known as conversation hearts) are small heart-shaped sugar candies sold around Valentine's Day. Each heart is printed with a message such as "Be Mine", "Kiss Me", "Call Me", "Let's Get Busy", "Miss You", or "I'm Yours".[1] Sweethearts were made by the New England Confectionery Company, or Necco, before being purchased by the Spangler Candy Company in 2018. They were also previously made by the Stark Candy Company. Necco manufactured nearly 8 billion Sweethearts per year. Similar products are available from Brach's and other companies.[2] A similar type of candy is sold in the UK under the name Love Hearts; while similar in formulation to Sweethearts, Love Hearts are round, with the heart design and message embossed on their surface.
History
Oliver R. Chase invented a machine in 1847 to cut lozenges from wafer candy, similar to Necco Wafers, and started a candy factory.[3] Daniel Chase, Oliver's brother, began printing sayings on the candy in 1866. He designed a machine that was able to press on the candy similar to a stamp. The candy was often used for weddings since the candies had witty saying such as: "Married in pink, he will take a drink", "Married in White, you have chosen right", and "Married in Satin, Love will not be lasting".
The candies were originally in the shape of a seashell and were large enough to carry a longer message.[4] The heart-shaped conversation candies to be called Sweethearts got their start in 1901. Other shapes formerly produced include lozenges, horseshoes, and baseballs.[4] Line extensions carrying the Sweethearts brand include chocolates and sugar-free hearts.
In the 1990s, Necco vice-president Walter Marshall wanted to update some of the sayings and retire others. For example, the outdated "Fax Me" was retired, and the more modern "Text Me" was added.[4]
Ingredients
The main ingredients are corn syrup, sugar, gelatin, and various types of food coloring.[4]
See also
- Broken heart
- Fortune cookie
- Love Hearts – British candy version of Sweethearts
- List of confectionery brands
External links
References
- Arianna Zhu. Sweethearts get their ever after this Valentine season Scot Scoop News, 27 Feb 2023, retrieved 28 Jul 2024^
- EGKOLFOPOULOU, Alexis Benveniste, Bloomberg News. With Candy-Heart Maker Necco Out of Business, Other Confectioners Vie for Valentine's Day Love Fortune, 2019-02-13, retrieved 2019-02-14^
- NECCO History