[ hello February ] . . . Mini Conversations

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 "TRUE LOVE", "ME + YOU", "SAY YES", "SWEET PEA", and "PUPPY LOVE". Sweethearts are made by the New England Confectionery Company, or Necco. 

Five Things You Didn't Know About Conversation Hearts

Made in Revere, Massachusetts, this classic candy, also known as Necco Sweethearts, has been around for almost 150 years!

If you've been in a drug store or grocery store lately, you've probably noticed that the shelves are stocked with Necco Sweethearts in preparation for Valentine's Day. The conversation hearts are virtually synonymous with February 14, but here are five facts you might not know about them:

1. Daniel Chase, the brother of Necco founder Oliver Chase, created the first "Motto Hearts" in 1866.
2. Before World War I, Sweethearts candies came in a variety of shapes, including baseballs, horseshoes, and watches.
3. Each year, about 45 sayings get included in the mix—but you can personalize the candies, too.
4. To make enough Sweethearts for Valentine's Day, production for the next year starts right after the holiday, in late February, and continues until mid-January.
5. More than 8 billion of the candies are manufactured each year—that's about 100,000 pounds per day! ...and that's a LOT of conversations ~ LOL! ✿

[ THANK YOU Catherine Strawn, CountryLiving | Wikipedia | for portions of this post. ]

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