Today, many people seek out roses and chocolate for Valentine’s Day, but it’s nearly impossible to forget a classic: candy hearts. You may remember signing boxes of these morsels on Valentine’s Day only to rip them open and eat them hours later. Reflecting on these times, candy hearts tend to stand out from other candies. Many share a core memory of sorting and reading every heart, but few people know the history of these delights.
The sweet story of candy hearts dates back to 1847 when a pharmacist named Oliver Chase created a machine designed as the world’s first lozenge cutter to commercialize the production. However, Chase’s creativity did not end there, and he soon realized his design was perfect for creating candy morsels.
For the first 19 years of Chase’s career, Necco wafers were his primary creation. These grew popular during the Civil War because they were simple to transport and store and did not risk melting or perishing. The Chase family did not seize to impress the world in 1688 when Oiver’s brother, David Chase, found a way to stamp letters onto these sweet treats using vegetable dye, which introduced the company to a whole new world of possibilities.
Although we fondly remember the sane candy hearts, the romantic novelties are a modernized version of Chase’s original candies. The classic shapes featured a variety of shapes, including postcards and sea shells, with much longer phrases, including “Married in White, you have chosen right.” However, in 1901, a fan favorite was created: heart-shaped candies with sweet phrases including “be mine,” “kiss me,” and even “fax me.”
Despite increased market competition and various company changes, over 150 years later, you can still find this classic holiday candy on store shelves today!
More Helpful Articles
Local Adventure: Hike Across San Francisco
Did you know you can hike across San Francisco in a day? From Candlestick Park to Baker Beach, the Crosstown Trail offers a journey through some of the city's most iconic neighborhoods. This journey covers 17 miles of the city and takes approximately 7 hours. It will...
Spring Cleaning Reimagined
As the days grow longer and temperatures rise, spring cleaning has arrived. Contrary to popular belief, you can turn this seasonal refreshment into a fun, gratifying activity. The mood for the day starts with music. As you gear up for the day, curate a playlist of...
Celebrate Pi Day in the Bay
Happy Pi Day! While 3.14 typically represents the beginning of π, it also represents National Pi Day! Pi Day, March 14 (3/14), was started in San Francisco 38 years ago by Exploratorium staff physicist, tinkerer, and media specialist Larry Shaw. Since then, Pi Day has...
Recent Comments