Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and while love is the focus of the day, candy deserves its own spotlight. After all, what’s a celebration of love without some sweet treats to enjoy? CandyStore.com recently revealed the candy trends in Illinois, and it’s clear that the state is making a big change when it comes to choosing Valentine’s sweets. The days of unreasonably sticking to bland, chalky conversation hearts are over. Illinois has officially upgraded its candy game.
A Sweet Redemption: Goodbye to the Conversation Hearts
For years, Illinois had been holding on to a Valentine’s Day tradition that many, frankly, would rather forget. I’m talking about those pastel-colored, heart-shaped candies that were more about nostalgia than actual flavor. These conversation hearts, with their barely-there taste and messages that ranged from “Be Mine” to “Fax Me,” had an embarrassing grip on the state’s Valentine’s candy preferences. And let’s be honest—any candy that requires you to choke it down with a cup of tea doesn’t deserve to be a tradition.
The Big Candy Shake-Up: A Major Turnaround
In 2023, CandyStore.com dropped a bombshell, revealing that Illinois had been stuck in a 15-year-long relationship with these tasteless sugar stones. But in 2024, the data took a surprising turn. Illinois finally ditched the chalky hearts and embraced a much tastier choice: chocolate.
That’s right, chocolate hearts have officially taken the top spot for the most popular Valentine’s candy in Illinois. After years of disappointing choices, the state has stepped into a new era—one where flavor and quality matter. This switch marks a huge victory for chocolate lovers, and we can all breathe a sigh of relief.
Chocolate Hearts: A New Favorite
Chocolate has always been a classic when it comes to Valentine’s Day treats, but for some reason, Illinois had been loyal to the bland conversation hearts for far too long. Now, it seems that common sense has finally prevailed. According to the updated sales data from CandyStore.com, chocolate hearts are now the favorite candy among Illinoisans.
But don’t get too excited just yet—those conversation hearts haven’t disappeared entirely. They’ve simply dropped to second place, which is a huge improvement from their previously unshakable first-place position. It’s clear that nostalgia, or perhaps a deep love for disappointment, still holds a special place in people’s hearts. But hey, they’ve been demoted, and that’s a step in the right direction.
Plain M&Ms: A Respectable Third Place
Coming in third on Illinois’ most popular Valentine’s candy list are plain M&Ms. It’s a solid choice, but let’s be real—if you’re going to choose M&Ms for Valentine’s Day, the peanut or peanut butter variety would have been much better options. Plain M&Ms just feel a little too safe, don’t you think? Still, their third-place finish is respectable, and it’s clear that Illinois is making progress when it comes to selecting candies that actually taste good.
My Take: Only the Best Will Do
As someone who values quality treats, I can’t help but feel relieved to see that Illinois has upgraded its Valentine’s Day candy choices. While I’m a type 2 diabetic and don’t indulge in candy too often, I believe that if I do choose to treat myself, it should be with something truly delicious. The days of choking down those pastel heartbreakers are over, and that’s something we can all celebrate.
Of course, Illinois isn’t the only state with candy preferences to reveal. Want to see how your out-of-state friends are doing when it comes to Valentine’s candy? Check out the full CandyStore.com list. Spoiler alert: some states still need help with their candy choices. But for now, Illinois has moved up to the ranks of candy connoisseurs, and that’s something to be proud of.
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