The story behind this popular Valentine’s Day treat
You rush into school on February 14. A burst of pink and red decorations line the hallway for Valentine’s Day. When you get to your classroom, your friend hands you a box of small candies with special messages. They’re Sweethearts!
Millions of kids eat these heart-shaped sweets. But have you ever wondered where they come from?
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Making Sweethearts
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Workers at the Sweethearts factory in Mexico spend all year preparing for Valentine’s Day. They make a whopping 780 million Sweethearts each year!
Making a batch of Sweethearts takes two full days. First, a team prepares pounds of sugary dough. Then, they add flavors and colors and form the dough into enormous balls. Next, they roll the dough into long, thin sheets.
After that, candy makers print messages on the dough with ink. Finally, they cut the dough into heart shapes. Once the treats dry, they’re sorted into boxes and shipped around the world!
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AT THE FACTORY
Workers make seven flavors of Sweethearts. Which is your favorite?
A Sweet Tradition
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People first started swapping Sweethearts in 1902. It’s been a Valentine’s Day tradition ever since.
But these little candies haven’t always looked the same. Early Sweethearts came in a variety of shapes, like postcards, horseshoes, and seashells!
The messages have changed too. There have been more than 300 different phrases printed on Sweethearts. One of those messages has stayed the same over time: “Be mine.”
Today the messages are more modern. You can find “LOL,” “Text me,” and “Bestie” on these cute candies. What would you write on Sweethearts?
Paragraph Power
Write a short paragraph summarizing how Sweethearts are made.
Can't Miss Teaching Extras
Keep that sweet tooth satisfied! Read “How Gummy Bears Took Over the World” to discover how this chewy, gooey treat became one of America’s favorite candies.
For more history on popular candies, read the Paired Texts articles “How Candy Conquered America”/“The Future of Candy.” Students will learn about synthesizing too.
Another popular candy for Valentine’s Day? Chocolate, of course! Learn about the history of chocolate in the Paired Texts “The History of YUM”/“When Chocolate Tasted Yucky.”
