Conversation hearts, also known as Sweethearts,  are one of the most popular candies during Valentine’s Day, but how did these candies begin?

Conversation hearts go back all the way to 1847. According to McGill University, conversation hearts originate from pharmaceutical equipment. Oliver Chase created a machine in 1847 that was used to create lozenges, also known as cough drops, faster.

When the medicinal ingredients were exchanged for sugar and flavouring it would make candy. The original candy made with this machine were Necco Wafers. 

According to Allrecipes, David Chase, Oliver Chase’s brother, created a machine that could stamp messages on the candy. 

What is now known as conversation hearts, or Sweethearts, weren’t actually shaped like hearts originally. It wouldn’t be until 1901 for the candy to gain the iconic heart shape. 

Also in the early 1900s, the candy became smaller and the messages became shorter, like the messages on modern day conversation hearts. 

Conversation hearts then became the most popular, not chocolate, candy that is sold for Valentine’s Day with 8 billion of the hearts sold each year. 

In 2018, Necco filed for bankruptcy leaving the rights of the candy to Spangler Candy. Due to the switch of who was producing the candy, it wouldn’t be until 2020 that Sweethearts would be put back on shelves. 

Today, these candies still line store shelves every Valentine’s day, and will probably do so for many more.