You know the feeling. You reach into a tiny cardboard box, shake out a couple of pastel discs, and suddenly you're chewing on something that feels suspiciously like a Tums but tastes like a dusty strawberry. It’s a Valentine’s Day rite of passage. Candy hearts with messages are basically the official currency of February 14th, but have you ever stopped to wonder why we are still eating these things in 2026? It’s not for the gourmet flavor profile, that's for sure.
They’re weird. They’re crunchy. They’re kind of a linguistic time capsule.
The history of these little sugar wafers—formally known as Conversation Hearts—is actually a story of industrial machinery and a pharmacist who probably didn't realize he was inventing a cultural icon. Back in 1847, Oliver Chase, a Boston pharmacist, was looking for a way to simplify the production of lozenges. He invented a machine that worked like a seed sower, rolling out dough and cutting it into perfect circles. This was the first candy-making machine in America. Eventually, his brother Daniel Chase got the bright idea to start printing phrases on them using vegetable dye.
Fast forward over 150 years, and we’re still passing around "KISS ME" and "BE MINE" like it’s the Victorian era.
The Drama Behind Your Favorite Chalky Treat
If you noticed a massive shortage of the most famous brand, Sweethearts, a few years back, you weren't imagining it. When the New England Confectionery Company (NECCO) went bankrupt in 2018, the world of candy hearts with messages went into a tailspin. Spangler Candy Company eventually bought the brand, but the transition wasn't smooth. For a whole year, the shelves were basically empty of the "OG" hearts.
People panicked.
Honestly, it’s fascinating how much we care about a candy that most people rank at the bottom of the "tasty" scale. It’s the nostalgia. When Spangler finally brought them back, they had to deal with a logistical nightmare—the original printing presses were old, finicky, and frankly, a bit temperamental. Some of the hearts came out blank. Others had blurry text.
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But that's part of the charm, isn't it?
How They’re Actually Made (It’s Not Pretty)
The process is surprisingly industrial. It’s basically sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, and a lot of air. The "dough" is mixed in giant vats until it reaches a play-dough consistency. Then it's rolled out, stamped, and dried. The drying process is the kicker. It takes days. If you don't dry them long enough, they're mushy. If you dry them too long, you might as well be eating gravel.
- Mixing the base: Sugar and corn syrup get acquainted in a high-speed mixer.
- Flavoring: Each color gets its own vibe (yellow is lemon, purple is grape, etc.).
- Rolling: The dough is flattened to a specific thickness.
- Printing: This is the high-stakes part where the messages are stamped on.
- Cutting: The heart shape is finally punched out.
Why the Messages Keep Changing
The lexicon of candy hearts with messages has to evolve or it dies. Back in the day, you’d see stuff like "MARRIED IN WHITE YOU HAVE CHOSEN RIGHT" which... wow, that’s a lot of pressure for a piece of candy. Later, we had "CALL ME" and "FAX ME." Does anyone even know what a fax is anymore?
In recent years, brands have tried to get "hip." We started seeing "TEXT ME," "YOLO," and "TBT." Some people hate it. They want the classic "SWEET TALK" and "LOVE BUG." But the manufacturers have to keep up with how we actually talk. If they kept "GROOVY" on there, the Gen Z crowd would just look at it like a fossil.
Actually, the "hottest" messages lately are the ones that lean into self-care or modern slang. We’re seeing "GOAT," "BAE," and "SQUAD." It’s a little cringey, sure, but it sells. Brach’s, which is the other major player in the game, often does themed bags now. You can get "Friends" themed hearts or even "Mean Girls" versions ("FETCH" is finally happening, apparently).
The Flavor Debate: Is Purple Grape or Clove?
This is where friendships end. Traditionally, the purple heart was clove-flavored. Clove! Who gives a child a clove-flavored candy? It’s polarizing. Most modern versions have switched to grape because, well, people generally prefer fruit over spices that remind them of a ham dinner.
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Necco’s original lineup was:
- White: Wintergreen (the one that sparks in the dark if you crunch it right)
- Yellow: Banana (the most controversial flavor)
- Orange: Orange (standard)
- Pink: Cherry/Wintergreen mix
- Purple: Grape (formerly Clove)
- Green: Lime
Brach's has a slightly different profile. Theirs tend to be a bit "softer" if you can even use that word for something that is essentially compressed powder. They use flavors like apple and blueberry which feel a bit more "modern candy" and less "19th-century apothecary."
The Science of Why We Crave Them
It’s called "sensory-specific satiety," or rather, the lack of it. Because these hearts are small and have a very specific, consistent texture, your brain doesn't get "bored" of them as quickly as it might with a rich chocolate truffle. You can mindlessly pop five or ten of them while working.
Also, there's the "gamification" of the box. You aren't just eating; you're reading. You're looking for the specific message that fits your mood. Maybe you want to give the "U R CUTE" heart to your crush, or maybe you're just looking for the one that isn't broken in half.
It’s a low-stakes social interaction.
Market Trends and the 2026 Landscape
Believe it or not, the market for candy hearts with messages is actually growing. People are using them for more than just eating. They’re huge in the "DIY" and "aesthetic" communities. Go on TikTok or Pinterest around February, and you’ll see people putting them in clear vases, embedding them in resin coasters, or using them as toppers for elaborate "Galentine's" cakes.
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The "Conversation Heart" has moved past being a food item; it’s now a graphic design element.
Interestingly, there's a rising trend in "anti-Valentine" hearts. Companies are now selling bags that say things like "U WISH," "NOPE," and "FRIEND ZONE." It turns out, being a hater is just as profitable as being a romantic. These sell out almost as fast as the traditional ones.
Common Misconceptions
- They last forever: People think these things have the shelf life of a Twinkie. Not true. While they don't "spoil" in a way that makes them dangerous, they do get rock hard after a year. If you find a box from 2022 in the back of your pantry, your teeth will thank you if you just toss it.
- They're all the same brand: Nope. Sweethearts (Spangler) and Brach’s are the big two, but there are dozens of generic versions. The generic ones usually taste like even more chalk, if you can believe it.
- The messages are random: Actually, the mix is usually calculated. There’s a certain percentage of "Love" messages versus "Friendship" messages in every batch.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Bag
If you’re planning on buying some this year, don’t just dump them in a bowl.
First, check the brand. If you want the classic experience, look for the Sweethearts logo. If you want something that tastes a bit more like actual candy and less like a school supply, go with Brach’s.
Second, look at the colors. If the colors look muted or "dusty," the batch might be old. You want vibrant pastels.
Third, use them for something creative. They make great "place cards" for a dinner party—just find a heart that describes each guest. It’s a cheap way to look like you put in a lot of effort.
Practical Steps for the Season
- Buy Early: The popular brands actually sell out about a week before Valentine's Day. Don't be the person buying the weird off-brand hearts at a gas station on February 13th.
- Store them right: Keep them in a cool, dry place. Humidity is the enemy of the conversation heart. It makes the dye bleed and the texture turn into a weird, gritty paste.
- Check for misprints: Some collectors actually look for "error" hearts where the text is upside down or double-stamped. They aren't worth millions, but they're fun to find.
- Mix your media: If you’re baking, don't put the hearts on before you bake. The heat will melt the sugar and ruin the message. Press them into the frosting after the cookies or cupcakes have cooled completely.
The enduring legacy of candy hearts with messages isn't about the flavor. It never was. It's about the fact that for a few cents, you can hand someone a little piece of sugar that says what you're too shy to say out loud. Or, you know, you can just eat a handful of lime-flavored chalk while watching Netflix. Both are valid.
Focus on the nostalgia this year. Look for the weird messages. Laugh at the ones that don't make sense. Whether they are "BAE" or "BE MINE," they are a tiny, edible part of history that isn't going anywhere anytime soon.