Each Valentine’s Day, stores line their candy racks with festive sweets. We all know that walking down the aisles will bring in red and pink heart-shaped chocolates, gummy candy, and lollipops. But, some of these candies, while cute and memorable, don’t taste too great.
Here is my ranking of 15 Valentine’s Day Candies based on taste, how recognizable they are, and how likely they are to be on the shelf come the weeks leading up to February 14th.
15. Sweethearts Conversation Hearts
Clearly we all know this candy. Conversation hearts scream Valentine’s Day with the catchy phrases of “Kiss Me” and “Be Mine.” However, to many, including myself, these taste chalky and flavorless earning last place on this list.
14. Wax Lips
I don’t understand how this one is considered candy, but more of a decoration or fun. These taste waxy (given in the name) and also do not have much flavor. But the bright red lips ring Valentine’s day allowing them a spot on this list.
13. Charms Valentine’s Day Lollipops
Just a regular pink lollipop for the holiday. The flavor is great, the wrapping is festive and memorable, but there is nothing really that special to raise these pops higher on the list.
12. York Heart-Shaped Peppermint Patties
The same minty-chocolatey combination that you get when you eat a York peppermint patty, but some of the fillings are tinted pink for the holiday. Nothing new, just a little bit more fun and festive.
11. Valentine’s Day Tootsie Rolls
Vanilla and Cherry flavored Tootsie Rolls wrapped in pink and blue wrappers, and the same great chocolate ones wrapped in purple, come together in a candy assortment for the holiday. Not only are they festive, but they have the same great flavor. There is more thought and effort going into the wrapping to emphasize the importance of the holiday.
10. Starburst Favereds
If anyone has every had Starburst Favereds you know that all of the candies range in color from light pink to dark red with two of the original flavors and two that are exclusive to this line, cutely and conveniently wrapped for the special day.
9. Ghiradelli Valentine’s Impressions Chocolates
These are special. Upon doing my research for this article, I stumbled upon these chocolates. Everyone knows that chocolates are essential, and Ghiradelli Valentine’s Impressions are exclusive to the holiday. They are a combination of milk and white chocolate with a milk base and the white chocolate as a little heart in the middle of the original square shaped piece. These not only taste like the great chocolate, but they are adorable and are festive for anyone celebrating the holiday.
8. Assorted Heart-Shaped Chocolate Box
Pretty much everyone thinks of these chocolates when Valentine’s Day comes to mind. The box contains an assortment of chocolates from fruit and caramel filled pieces to pure milk or dark chocolate. This falls in the middle of the list due to how basic it is at representing the holiday, but also how the chocolates never fail to be festive.
7. Charms Valentine’s Heart Pops With Bow and Arrow
These lollipops are cute, nobody can argue that. The heart-shaped pops with the white design of the bow and arrow are exclusively made for this day. They taste great and look adorable, and are definitely a reminder of the holiday putting them higher up on the list.
6. Chocolate Roses
You’ve probably seen these everywhere for Valentine’s Day, they are cheesy and the cheaper alternative to buying someone roses; however, they taste great and bring a strong sense of recognition to the holiday. Personally, I’d take the chocolate roses over real roses this Valentine’s Day.
5. Dove Heart-Shaped Chocolate
Who doesn’t love chocolate. Dove chocolates are festively heart-shaped and wrapped in reds, pinks, and purples. It is still the same great flavor of the milk or dark chocolate, but the inside message has been changed to represent Valentine’s Day and love.
4. Sweetarts Statement Lollipops
Earning the number 4 spot on the list are the sweetarts heart-shaped lollipops. Upon opening the wrapper, there are cute sayings such as “Kiss Me” and “Be Mine”. The sour and sweet treat never fails, and the sayings make it even better!
3. Sour Smooch Juju Lips Candy
Going into the top three is a personal favorite of mine. I love sour candy and these tangy lip-shaped bites hit the spot. Coming in three different flavors the lips are light pink, hot pink, and red coated in sour sugar– satisfying any craving for a gummy sour candy this holiday. They are festive and delicious earning the number three spot.
2. Reese’s Peanut Butter Hearts
The peanut butter and chocolate combination that never fails. Seriously, if you don’t like Reese’s, you’ re wrong. I’m just kidding, but they are one of the best candies. For Valentine’s Day, they shape the peanut butter chocolate mixture into a heart which you can either get at a normal size, or if you’re feeling ambitious, you can get yourself or your friends to a giant version of this treat. Either way, this candy receives the number two spot on this list as it not only tastes great, but is festive for the special day.
1. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
I know, I know. This isn’t technically a candy, but who doesn’t love chocolate covered strawberries? The basic dessert is upgraded during this time in cute packaging or may have cute little designs in the chocolate. The best part is that you are technically eating fruit, so what could be bad about them? Chocolate covered strawberries really have a sense of Valentine’s Day in them, whether for a loved one or yourself. So sorry they aren’t really a candy, but they do deserve the number one spot on this list.