By now all our European and other non-US readers are wondering what the big hullabaloo is about conversation hearts. If you didn’t grow up in the US getting at least one Valentine with one of them stuck to a tear-out Mickey Mouse card every year, well, you would understandably be a bit lost. Lucky for all of you, I discovered a pretty good European equivalent!
At a local candy emporium I found a roll of “Giant” Love Hearts, made in the UK by Swizzles-Matlow. Upon untwisting the cellophane tube I found myself wondering if they were as good (as bad?) as Necco’s version. Appearance wise they are different – a round disk about 3/4 of an inch across, it’s got a heart relief-stamped into it. The hearts all have the appropriate messages, “True Love” “Be Mine” and so forth. There are a few modern ones, too, with “Email Me” and “Fax Me” – not to mention some seriously odd ones like “Be My Icon” (and lay on my desktop?!)
The back of the heart has another love heart relief-stamped into it. The Love Hearts come in a number of colors – white, pink, green, yellow, orange, purple – but to my palate they all taste exactly the same. At first taste they have a slight fizziness to them, and similar to their American counterparts are quite chalky in texture. Once you chomp through one you get a nice tangy fizzle on the tongue, and because they are so thin they’re easy to eat.
Amazingly, these candies are popular enough to warrant an entire online store, which includes things like Love Hearts inspired photo frames, teddy bears and yes, even a line of Love Hearts jewelery! They can personalize the packaging (although not the hearts themselves) and the site says they will take Valentine orders until the 13th, at noon. Better still, they have a currency converter so people outside of the UK can order from them as well.
Yummier than conversation hearts, with an equal amount of dorkiness (hey, why don’t you… “Page Me” sometime?) and with an added European coolness-factor, these were a winner with me. There’s still time – why not “Trust Me” on this one and order some for your sweetheart?
Buy Love Hearts Online:
- at Amazon.com
Canadians have conversation hearts too. but they’re really gross. bleh.
February 8th, 2008 at 9:38 pmBut we also have Love Hearts. And they more than make up for crappy ol’ conversation hearts. Sent an online friend a few rolls, and now I think she wants to marry me :)
March 11th, 2008 at 2:28 amI don’t know why these are so difficult to find in the US! When I was a kid they were available for Valentine’s Day in just about every store. Then, they dissapeared…
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:46 amI agree with elektrolad. These candies can not be found in the US. I LOVED them as a child, too. I could eat them like they were going out of style. I just LOVE them. If anyone would know where I can get some you can email me at bilncher@ptd.net
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:42 pmI agree with both of you. I have been looking for them for years. I LOVE THEM. As for finding them google love hearts candy and you should be able to find them there.
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:12 pmExtremely hard to find in the USA yes!! Sad :-( because these are a great candy. I have family in the UK and every time they come to visit I have them bring me a box of them :-)
October 15th, 2009 at 9:16 am