The Evolving Story of Conversation Hearts

Have you ever wondered about the little heart candies with catchy phrases from the romantic to the sarcastic? Contemporary phrases are added to reflect the times. In the sixties “Sock It To ME” was popular, and even a horror movie, Twilight, was promoted with the message “Live 4 Ever.”

According to Alexandra Owens from the Food Network, the miniature candies were invented in 1847 as throat lozenges by Boston pharmacist Oliver Chase. His device, referred to as the first candy making machine, was intended as a lozenge cutter, but Oliver’s brother Daniel came up with a way to stamp words onto the candy with red vegetable dye. The New England Confectionery Company was born in 1866, with conversation candies becoming a valentine staple for the next 150 years.

The simple reciepe for Sweetheart Candies consisted of corn, syrup, sugar, geletin, and food coloring. The candies could never compete with the taste of dark chocolate but the novelty of their little messages remained ever-popular on Valentine’s Day. The original candy distributed by the Chase brothers contained longer inscriptions: “Why is a stylish girl like you a thrifty housekeeper?,” “Because she makes a big bustle about a little waist; and “How long shall I have to wait Please be considerate.”

Annually, over eight billion Sweetheart candies are sold during the six weeks leading up to Valentine’s day. They are exchanged in classrooms and parties world-wide as part of a favorite tradition.

Tried and true phrases have continued through the decades, including “Be True” and “Kiss Me.” The New England Confectionery Company surveyed the public for more modern phrases in 2010. The new suggestions were added to the mix, including “Tweet Me,” “Text Me,” and “Love Bug.”

Spangler Candy Company purchased the rights to Sweethearts and set up a new production plant in 2019. Spangler relaunched the conversation hearts in 2021 in time for Valentine’s day. The latest hearts include phrases “GOAT,” “Bestie,” “YAAAS” and “Real Like.” These little hearts reflect our American culture. What’s next?!

Image depicting Sweetheart candies with phrases such as ‘Sweet Talk” and “XOXO.” Photo by Jill Wellington