6. Baking time
Made from the same batter of sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin as Necco wafers, Sweetheart dough is rolled out, imprinted, and cut out into heart shapes which then must dry for 45 minutes to achieve their hardened consistency.
7. Popular demand
More than 8 billion of the candies are manufactured each year—that’s about 100,000 pounds per day!
8. Second only to chocolate
Necco’s marketing director Aimee Scott told Smithsonian that Sweethearts account for roughly 40 percent of the Valentine candy market.
It’s estimated that 13 million pounds of the hearts are sold in the six weeks just prior to the holiday.
9. Enduring terms of endearment
Certain emblazoned phrases have stuck around since the beginning of Sweethearts, including “Be Mine,” “Kiss Me,” and “Be True.”
The saying “The One I Love,” from the 1900s, made a comeback in 1997 for Necco’s 150th anniversary. Another oldie but goodie, “Let’s Read,” was brought back in 2014.
10. New additions
In keeping with the times, Necco lets customers make suggestions for modern sayings to take into consideration.
Some newer phrases in rotation include “Call Me” and “Email Me.” In 2007, the company released a limited “Pet Lovers” edition with sayings like “Puppy Love” and “Take a Walk.”
