Can you guess WA’s favorite Valentine’s Day candy? (Hint: It’s not chocolate) (2024)

Ah, Valentine’s Day … A day for cardiac-themed tokens, embossed endearments and sugary sweet love — or, in other words, conversation hearts.

That’s who — or really, what — most Washingtonians will spend Valentine’s Day with.

Conversation hearts are Washington’s favorite Valentine’s Day candy this year, according to online candy retailer CandyStore.com.

The company found the most popular candy in each state by analyzing 16 years of bulk candy sales.

Washington is among 12 states to favor conversation hearts, which only have a six-week peak selling period. It takes manufacturers 11 months to produce enough of the chatty sweets to supply those six weeks, CandyStore.com said.

Washingtonians also love heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and chocolate roses, which ranked second and third-most popular, respectively.

Candy necklaces, Hershey kisses, M&Ms and cupid corn also topped lists in other states.

Across the country, Americans are expected to spend $25.8 billion on the holiday this year, with a record $14.2 billion spent on significant others, according to the National Retail Federation. Candy is the nation’s top Valentine’s gift, the federation said.

The late candy company Necco created Sweethearts, the original version of conversation hearts, in the 1860s. The miniature messaged sugar treats exited the candy market in 2019 after Necco’s dissolution.

The brand’s new owner, Spangler Candy Company, reintroduced Sweethearts to the candy market in 2020, though limited availability and production issues resulted in misprinted and blank candies.

But since 2020 — a hard year, even for candy — Sweethearts and conversation hearts overall have made a national comeback, according to CandyStore.com, soaring back into the hearts of many with Spangler’s new sayings.

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