Here’s the Most Popular Valentine’s Day Candy In Every State, and It’s Breaking (Conversation) Hearts

While they get a decent amount of hate, conversation candy hearts have reigned as the most popular Valentine’s Day candy over the years. But according to this new data, that winning streak is over—at least in the U.S.—and heart-shaped boxes of chocolates took home the prize.

Candystore.com conducted a study on the most popular Valentine’s Day candy in every state, based on sales data pulled from the past 12 years. The choices were narrowed down to chocolate roses, M&Ms, Hershey Kisses, heart-shaped box of chocolates, conversation hearts, candy necklaces, and chocolate hearts—and the results showed that boxes of chocolates reigns as supreme leader.

Out of all 50 states, 18 states chose the heart-shaped box of chocolates as #1, with conversation hearts raking as the second most popular, being chosen as #1 in 13 states. While it could be that conversation hearts just simply aren’t as cherished as they used to be, there is a pretty obvious factor that most likely played a large role—the manufacturer New England Confectionery Company (Necco, for short) who produced SweetHearts went out of business.

Source: CandyStore.com

But the candy famously connected to V-Day has been on the decline for some time now. As the chart above shows, the popularity contest between conversation hearts and chocolate boxes has teetered up until last year, when chocolates rose to 10.7% as the overall favored candy compared to conversation hearts grabbing 8%.

Beyond the war between conversational hearts and heart-shaped boxes of chocolates another interesting takeaway was that M&M popularity is on the rise (watch out, chocolates!). And while it didn’t take the #1 spot in any states, Cupid Corn held relatively steady in 2019. Who knows, you might even be seeing it on the map next year!

What’s your favorite Valentine’s Day candy? Let us know in the comments below!