Valentine's Day. A day to celebrate and shower the ones we love with our affection … and of course, eat candy! Candy has become one of the most popular Valentine's Day gifts. Each year, thousands of people give candies to their sweethearts. But where did it begin for some of the world's favorite sugary treats? Here's the history of Valentine's Day candy:
Sweethearts Candy Hearts: In 1866, Daniel Chase developed a machine that could press food dye letters onto the candy lozenges made famous by his brother, New England Confectionery Company (NECCO) founder Oliver Chase. The candy gained popularity and soon became a favorite treat at weddings. In 1902, the candy hearts evolved into the ones we know today and continue to be made every year from late February to mid-January. During that time, around eight billion — 100,000 pounds — of candy hearts are made, and the entire amount is sold out within six weeks. To this day, Sweethearts are the best-selling Valentine's Day candy.
Hershey's Kisses: First introduced in 1907, it is not known exactly how the kisses got their name. But one theory suggests they were named for the kissing sound the chocolate made while being deposited on the manufacturing line. It wasn't until 1962 that Hershey Kisses were first wrapped in red and green foil to celebrate Christmas. Today, to celebrate Valentine's Day, kisses are wrapped in red foil.
Heart-Shaped Boxes of Chocolates: Richard Cadbury, son of Cadbury founder John Cadbury, created 'fancy' boxes of chocolates to increase sales. He used drawings of his family and Alpine scenes to decorate them. In 1861, he created the first heart-shaped box of chocolates for Valentine's Day. The popularity of the boxes has only grown over the years. Each year, over 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates are sold around the world.
Whether you decide to go out or stay in this Valentine's Day, don't forget to enjoy a sweet treat! What's your favorite Valentine's Day candy?
FAQs
Heart-Shaped Boxes of Chocolates: Richard Cadbury, son of Cadbury founder John Cadbury, created 'fancy' boxes of chocolates to increase sales. He used drawings of his family and Alpine scenes to decorate them. In 1861, he created the first heart-shaped box of chocolates for Valentine's Day.
Why is candy associated with Valentine's Day? ›
In the 1860s, during the height of the Victorian era, Cadbury invented the very first heart-shaped chocolate box. After the chocolates had been eaten, the boxes were intended to be used to store sentimental items like love letters, gifts, or locks of hair, all popular practices in Victorian culture.
What is the most popular type style of candy sold in NJ for Valentine's Day? ›
The Most Popular Valentine's Day Candy in New Jersey
New Jersey's favorite Valentine's Day candy is heart-shaped boxes of chocolate. The state's second top choice is the holiday-themed M&M's.
What is the most eaten candy on Valentine's Day? ›
Chocolate is the most popular candy for Valentine's Day for a reason. These delicious treats pair perfectly with any gift. Give chocolates alongside flowers or stuffed animals. You could also gift them as a dessert after a fancy dinner, or to go with a nice bottle of wine.
What is the Valentine's Day candy called? ›
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", or "Miss You".
Who invented the first Valentine's day candy? ›
Heart-Shaped Boxes of Chocolates
By the 1840s, the notion of Valentine's Day as a holiday to celebrate romantic love had taken over most of the English-speaking world. Chocolate manufacturer Richard Cadbury, son of Cadbury founder John Cadbury, took advantage of his country's sweet obsession with Valentine's Day.
What is the history of Valentine's candy hearts? ›
Sweethearts Candy Hearts: In 1866, Daniel Chase developed a machine that could press food dye letters onto the candy lozenges made famous by his brother, New England Confectionery Company (NECCO) founder Oliver Chase. The candy gained popularity and soon became a favorite treat at weddings.
What was the top candy in NJ? ›
In a surprising placement, New Jersey's number one candy is the Tootsie Pop with 148,870 pounds sold. The ever popular Reese's Peanut Butter Cup is America's favorite candy. Get local news you can trust in your inbox. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
What is the most famous Valentine symbol? ›
Cupid. If Valentine's Day has a mascot, it's the winged, bow and arrow–wielding baby known as Cupid. Next to the heart, he's the most common symbol of the holiday. His path from powerful Greek God to lovable cherub was not always an obvious one, though.
What is the most bought item on Valentine's Day? ›
Candy: As the saying goes, “Candy for the win!” It comes as no surprise that candy tops the list, with 57% of people purchasing sweets for their loved ones on Valentine's Day. Chocolates, in particular, are a timeless classic and a symbol of romance.
In Ancient Rome, Lupercalia was observed February 13–15 on behalf of Pan and Juno, pagan gods of love, marriage and fertility.
What three colors represent Valentine's Day? ›
What are the Valentine's Day colors? Pop into any flower shop or even a festive hotel or restaurant and there's no arguing that red, white, and pink are the official colors of Valentine's Day.
What percent of Americans skip Valentine's Day? ›
Across all Americans, 45% have skipped Valentine's Day to save money, and just over a quarter (26%) plan to do so this year.
Why is chocolate related to Valentine? ›
Why is chocolate the main food for Valentine's Day? Chocolate has a long history of being seen as a symbol of love and affection. The ancient Mayans and Aztecs considered chocolate an aphrodisiac and believed it had mystical properties associated with romance and desire.
What candy symbolizes love? ›
Chocolate, the world's most beloved confection, has been synonymous with love and desire for centuries.
What does it mean when someone gives you chocolate on Valentine's Day? ›
Why is chocolate given on Valentine's Day? The Mayans were a civilization estimated to have been around during 500 BCE and used cocoa-brewed beverages during wedding rituals to demonstrate the couple's bitter-sweet future together. And this is what has kick-started the tradition of celebrating love with chocolate.
How did chocolate become a Valentine's Day staple? ›
Eventually chocolate was seen as a lavish ”gift of the gods” in marriage ceremonies. In 1861, a few hundred years after chocolate became a staple in Europe, an aspiring candy maker decided to sell chocolates for Valentine's day in special heart shaped gift boxes that would soon become a popular Valentine's tradition.
