Sweethearts (candy) facts for kids
Sweethearts are small, heart-shaped candies. They are also known as conversation hearts. These candies are very popular around Valentine's Day. Each little heart has a special message printed on it. Messages include "Be Mine," "Kiss Me," "Call Me," or "I'm Yours."
For many years, Sweethearts were made by a company called Necco. In 2018, another company, the Spangler Candy Company, bought the brand. Before Necco, the Stark Candy Company also made them. Necco used to make about 8 billion Sweethearts every year! Other companies like Brach's make similar candies. In the UK, there's a candy called Love Hearts. They are similar but are round and have their messages pressed into them.
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The Sweet History of Sweethearts
The story of Sweethearts began a long time ago. In 1847, a man named Oliver R. Chase invented a machine. This machine could cut out candy lozenges. These were flat, round candies, much like Necco Wafers. Oliver Chase then started his own candy factory.
How Messages Got on Candy
Oliver's brother, Daniel Chase, had a clever idea in 1866. He started printing sayings on the candies. He designed a special machine that worked like a stamp. It pressed the words onto the candy. These candies were often used at weddings. They had funny sayings like "Married in pink, he will take a drink."
From Shells to Hearts
The first conversation candies were not heart-shaped. They were shaped like seashells. They were also bigger, so they could hold longer messages. The heart-shaped candies we know as Sweethearts first appeared in 1901. Other shapes made in the past included lozenges, horseshoes, and even baseballs. Over time, the Sweethearts brand also included chocolates and sugar-free hearts.
In the 1990s, a Necco manager named Walter Marshall decided to update the messages. Some old sayings, like "Fax Me," were removed. Newer, more modern phrases, such as "Text Me," were added. The romantic messages are still updated for young people today. Necco used to get hundreds of ideas for new sayings each year. The most popular request was always "Marry Me."
Making Billions of Hearts
Necco made Sweethearts all year long. However, they would start making more in September. This was to get ready for the huge demand around Valentine's Day. The company made about 100,000 pounds (about 45,000 kg) of hearts every day. This large amount would sell out in about six weeks. Necco produced 8 billion hearts each year. Sweethearts are the second most popular Valentine's candy, right after chocolate. Many are bought for school Valentine's Day parties.
Changes in Flavor
In 2010, the classic Sweethearts recipe changed. The candies became softer and had brighter colors. New flavors were also added, like sour apple and blue raspberry. However, some fans did not like these new flavors and messages.
Sweethearts' Return
In 2018, Necco faced financial problems and closed down. Their candy brands were sold. The Spangler Candy Company bought the rights to Sweethearts. Because Spangler needed time to set up production in a new factory, Sweethearts were not available for Valentine's Day in 2019.
Sweethearts made their return in 2020. They brought back the original flavors from before Necco's 2010 change. However, there were some problems with the machines. Many of the familiar sayings were either incomplete or missing entirely that year.
What Are Sweethearts Made Of?
The main ingredients in Sweethearts are corn syrup, sugar, and gelatin. They also use different types of food coloring to give them their pastel shades.
See also
- Broken heart
- Fortune cookie
- Love Hearts – The British candy similar to Sweethearts
- List of confectionery brands
