Staff Writer| State Journal-Register
When it comes to messages printed on candy hearts, e-mail is out and texting is in.
For 145 years, the Revere, Mass.-based New England Confectionery Co. has been turning out Sweethearts — those pastel-hued, sugary hearts so popular around Valentine’s Day. The company manufactures 6 billion of them annually.
Back in 1865, Sweethearts carried gentle messages such as “Be Good,” “Kiss Me” and “Be True.” A few years later, they became popular at weddings. “Married in Pink, He Will Take to Drink” and “Married in White, You Have Chosen Right” caught on.
In 1885 — notable in the circus world as the year P.T. Barnum’s celebrity elephant Jumbo was killed by a freight train – “Take Me to the Circus” was stamped on the candies.
One hundred years later, in 1985, the New England Confectionery Co. started adopting a theme each year, adding new messages related to a topic.
For example, technology was the theme in 1997 and new expressions included “Email Me” and “Fax Me.” The candies took a youthful approach in 1998, with “Cool Dude” and “Yeah Right.”
Pop culture rocked Sweethearts in 1999, with the addition of “1-800-Cupid” and “As If.”
Children’s literacy was highlighted in 2003; thus, “Let’s Read,” “Book Club” and “Whiz Kid.”
Pets were pampered in 2007, with “Puppy Love” and “Cool Cat.”
Support for U.S. military troops marched onto the candies in 2009. Sayings included “Proud of U,” “Home Safe” and “Miss You.”
In an attempt to modernize this year’s expressions, the company asked consumers for suggestions in an online poll. As a result, “Tweet Me” (the No. 1 choice) and “Text Me” (the second most popular choice) will replace the oh-so-outdated “Email Me” and “Fax Me.”
Other top customer picks that round out 2010’s gaggle of 10 are both contemporary expressions (“You Rock,” “Soul Mate,” “Love Bug” and “Me + You”) and the return of some classics (“Puppy Love,” “Sweet Love,” “Sweet Pea” and “Love Me”).
Colors and flavors have been tweaked as well. Vibrant shades have replaced pastels this year, and new flavors include green apple, blue raspberry, lemon and grape.
I have been known to leave solitary candy hearts for friends and co-workers, each carefully selected for the recipient. I look for the ones that say things like “Let’s Do Lunch,” “Great Gal” and “Way to Go.”
My only gripe is that the sentiments are too tame. They have no edge to them, no humor.
I’d like to see hearts that say, “I Don’t Want to Hear Your Cell Phone Conversation,” “Popping Your Gum Isn’t Pretty” and “Do You Have to Slurp Your Coffee?” Not only would the candies be a little treat, they might give a gentle nudge to civility.
Food editor Kathryn Rem can be reached at 788-1520 or kathryn.rem@sj-r.com.
