Love is in the air, and so is the sweet scent of sugar! Every February 14th, we celebrate romance with roses, cards, and of course, plenty of sweet treats. But have you ever wondered why we reach for candy hearts and chocolate boxes when Cupid comes calling? The connection between love and sweets goes back centuries, and the story is more interesting than you might expect.
So how did Valentine’s Day become synonymous with sweets? Why do we celebrate love with candy, and what are those classic confections we all look forward to year after year? Let’s unwrap the delicious history of Valentine’s Day treats!
Valentine’s Ancient Roots
Believe it or not, Valentine’s Day started as a Christian feast day honouring Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr from around the 3rd century.
The details of his life are a bit mysterious. There may have been two or three different Valentines, but legend says he secretly married Christian couples when such ceremonies were forbidden in Rome. Talk about dedication to love!
Some historians believe the Church created Valentine’s Day as a wholesome alternative to Lupercalia, an ancient Roman fertility festival celebrated in mid-February.
The February 14th date became official for Valentine’s Day in the 14th century when the Pope declared it the feast day of St. Valentine. But it was really during the Middle Ages that things got romantic. The famous poet Geoffrey Chaucer wrote that “Seynt Valentynes Day” was when birds began their mating season, and suddenly, everyone wanted to send love letters to their sweethearts!
When Was Candy First Associated with Valentine’s Day?
As the popularity of sugar and candies spread across Europe, they transformed from luxury items reserved for the wealthy into treats more people could enjoy. By the 17th and 18th centuries, sugar was becoming increasingly accessible (though it still wasn’t cheap!).
In Shakespeare’s England, sugar featured in about half of the recipes recorded in cookbooks of the time. Wealthy households kept two-kilogram sugar loaves on hand, chiselling off pieces as needed for everything from main courses to desserts.
Sweet treats were a natural fit for Valentine’s Day. What better way to show affection than with something that literally tastes delightful? As candies became more available, chocolatiers and confectioners began creating special heart-shaped boxes and treats specifically for February 14th gifting.
By the 1800s, the association between Valentine’s Day and candy was firmly established in the hearts (and sweet tooths!) of people everywhere.
Why Did the Valentine’s Candy Tradition Stick?
The numbers tell the story: Canadians consume about 40 kilograms of sugar every year. But our collective sweet tooth isn’t new. 100 years ago, Brits ate nearly 45 kilograms annually, even more than we do today!
Here’s why candy became inseparable from Valentine’s Day.
The Perfect Love Token
When Cadbury introduced heart-shaped chocolate boxes to Britain in the 1800s, expressing love became as simple as handing your special someone a beautiful box of sweets.
Innovation Made It Irresistible
Candymakers began stamping romantic phrases onto pressed sugar candies, creating “motto lozenges”, the original conversation hearts. Each new candy innovation gave people more reasons to celebrate.
Winter Needs Sweetness
February can be cold and dreary, especially in Canada! A holiday celebrating love and sweetness gives us something warm to anticipate. Traditions like Valentine’s Day draw people together and remind us of the love that surrounds us, even when the weather may be grey.
Tradition Built Anticipation
As certain candies became Valentine’s staples, spotting conversation hearts and cinnamon hearts in stores became the official signal that love was in the air.
But how did those classic treats become iconic?
What Classic Candies Are Associated with Valentine’s?
Conversation Hearts
These iconic little candies have been stealing hearts since the late 1800s! Candymakers began stamping words and phrases on pressed sugar candies, creating what were originally called “motto lozenges.” These featured romantic or poetic sayings that made them the ultimate two-in-one gift: sweet messages and a tasty treat.
Over time, Conversation Hearts evolved into the petite, pastel-coloured hearts we know and love today, complete with classic phrases like “BE MINE,” “TRUE LOVE,” and “SWEET TALK.”
The iconic nature of these candies is why they’ve made our list of the top 5 Valentine’s candies you need to try.
Cinnamon Hearts
These fiery little candies prove that Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all sweetness!
Cinnamon Hearts’ distinct shape has made them a natural fit for Valentine’s celebrations, but their spicy cinnamon kick offers a welcome change from chocolate-only options. Hard, crunchy, and delightfully intense, Cinnamon Hearts are a true sensory experience that keeps candy lovers coming back year after year.
Chocolate Favourites
No Valentine’s Day would be complete without chocolate! Cadbury introduced the first heart-shaped boxes of chocolate back in the 1800s, kicking off decades of chocolate gifting traditions.
Whether you’re treating yourself or someone special, chocolate is always a winner. Try our Chocolate Rosebuds, Chocolate Almonds, and other decadent options to make your Valentine’s Day extra sweet!
Hot Lips
These candy lips are the perfect mix of sweet, spicy, and chewy. If you’re not a fan of the crunch of Cinnamon Hearts, you may love the soft texture of these favourites.
Hot Lips are great any time of year, but around Valentine’s Day, they definitely make for an on-theme gift or treat.
Themed Picks
Valentine’s is full of gift-giving, which makes finding the best treats to share even more special.
Strawberry Milkshakes, Nordic Berries, and Strawberry Licorice Tubes are great picks for creating Valentine’s gifting with their red, pink and white colours.
Celebrating Valentine’s Day with Cottage Country
From ancient traditions to modern candy aisles, Valentine’s Day has quite a journey behind it! And while the traditions have evolved, one thing remains constant: we all love an excuse to celebrate love with something sweet.
This February 14th, make your day extra special with all your classic, nostalgic favourites from Cottage Country. Whether you’re sharing Conversation Hearts with your kids, treating your sweetheart to Chocolate Almonds, or indulging in some Cinnamon Hearts for yourself, we’ve got everything you need to make this Valentine’s Day deliciously memorable.
Spread some sweetness this Valentine’s Day with Cottage Country!
