We like things that remain constant, even small things. Sweethearts Valentine candies are one of those things. In a world where change hits us every day in an ever-dizzying rush of “progress,” small simple pleasures that remain the same give us comfort and pleasure. Here is one example.
Most of us who are a bit older remember Sweethearts from childhood. When I was a kid in elementary school, a highlight of our year was an annual Valentine’s Day party held in class. In our school, every classroom had one or more “room mothers” who would arrive on party day with homemade cupcakes, cookies, candies, and other treats. We students exchanged Valentine’s Day cards (saving the best card for the one classmate we “liked” the best). These parties were fun and memorable. I am not sure if this is done much in school today.
Of all the treats we enjoyed on this special day, perhaps my favorite (along with my Mom’s Valentine’s peanut butter cookies – she was always our room mother), were Sweethearts candies. Sometimes called “conversation candies,” these small sugar hearts are printed with sweet messages of love and friendship. You could tape these hearts to your cards, hand them out, or even throw them across the room to that special someone you wished to impress when your teacher wasn’t looking. For those who are interested in the story behind ordinary things, Sweethearts have a long and fascinating history.
The Sweethearts candy story begins with two brothers in Boston, Oliver and Daniel Chase. Oliver, who was a pharmacist, invented a machine for producing medicinal lozenges in 1847. At that time medicated lozenges, a popular remedy for sore throats and other ailments, were in high demand. But creating lozenges was labor intensive and involved using a mortar and pestle to crush medicine and then kneading and rolling dough, before cutting into small disks by hand. Oliver’s machine saved much time and labor, allowing him to feed dough into one end of his machine and having the cut disks come out at the other end, much like a modern- day pasta maker.
Oliver soon found other uses for his invention, specifically, candy making. He began making lozenges without medicine, and they were a big hit. He soon founded his own candy business, Chase and Company, which later became know as the New England Confectionary Company. Better known as NECCO, their popular NECCO wafers are still available today.
Daniel Chase, Oliver’s brother, was also an inventor, and in 1866 he developed a way to press words onto his brother’s candy lozenges using red food dye and a felt roller pad. These candies, with clever sayings printed on them, soon became popular at weddings and parties. They were available at different times in various shapes and sizes, including horseshoes and baseballs, but hearts became the most popular.
The Sweethearts brand was created in 1902, and original sayings included “Be Mine,” “Kiss Me,” “Cutie Pie,” and more. In recent years, more modern sayings added include “Hot Dawg,” “IGOTU Babe,” “143,” “Text Me,” and others.
In 2010 NECCO changed the classic pastel candy formula making Sweethearts softer with newer brighter colors. These were unpopular with many who missed the original candies. Sales dropped, and in 2018 NECCO closed their original plant and declared bankruptcy. But that is not the end of the story.
The Sweethearts brand rights were acquired by the Spangler Candy Company, and in 2022 they returned to their original flavors. The vintage and clas sic Valentine’s Day treat was back. There are other versions of Sweethearts candies produced today. Brach’s makes their “Conversation Hearts.” You can also find SweeTart candies, made by the company that makes popular Sweet Tarts. In the UK they have “Love Hearts” which are similar to our American brands. But Sweethearts candies are the original, and I think the best. This month, before they are gone, you might consider stocking up on these fun little tasty treats. Maybe you can share them with friends and loved ones, not only on Valentine’s Day, but throughout the year. It’s good to enjoy something constant.
typewriterweekly.com © 2022 Jody Dyer
