Pre-Ramble:  Well, it’s time for the annual pre-Valentine’s Day NECCO Sweethearts Conversation Candies update. Last year, as you recall, I posted some fascinating factoids about the petite, chalk-like treats (“Be Mine” 2-12-09), including the fact that over 8 million of the candy hearts are sold during the Valentine holiday. 

Who says we’re not a nation of innovators?  After 145 years of tepid quasi-sugary flavors and pale pastel hues, the NECCO R&D team has boldly changed up their formulation to include sassier, tangy fruit flavors like Green Apple, Blue Raspberry, Lemon and Grape, as well as incorporating deeper shades of color (see above).

NECCO has also logged onto the social media craze, updating the sappy messaging of yore like “You’re Nice,” … “Try Me,” … and “Sweet Pea,” to high tech sayings like “Tweet Me,” “Text Me,” and “Friend Me.” (I made that last one up, but if it isn’t in their repertoire, it should be.) Apparently, there is also an iPhone app that will send a personalized Sweethearts message to your beloved’s Twitter page … @#aw-sum.

The jury is still out on whether these innovations represent an improvement, but according to the discriminating palates duking it out on facebook, response to the new colors, flavors and texture (molten play-dough?) has been mixed.

The Take-Away:  As a writer, I love the concept of these short form messages, however, no matter how clever, heart-shaped or tech-forward, I will shove them around on my desk or throw them into an open sunroof, but I will NEVER eat a NECCO Sweatheart Conversation Candy.

Note to sweetie: Give me a cupcake or diamond pendant any day.

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