As cynics know and even the most besotted romantics will admit under pressure, candy is the best thing about Valentine’s Day. Yes, but what kind of candy? Luckily, NJ Spotlight News with the help of bulk candy provider Candy Store.com, can guide your hand here. The largest online candy store has sampled and sorted 16 years of saccharine stats, to determine the No. 1 Valentine’s sweet for the Garden State: heart-shaped boxed candy. M&Ms finish second in the sugar-shock “sweetstakes,” and in third place, conversation hearts.

Lest you get the idea that everything in candyland is nougat smooth, consider the saga of Sweetheart conversation hearts. These tiny treats (smaller than the face of a wristwatch) are printed with romantic messages — “Be Mine,” “Kiss Me,” “Do you read NJ Spotlight News”? Long manufactured by Necco, they held almost 10% of total candy spending. But Necco went dark and there were no conversation hearts to be had in 2019. They were back in 2020, distributed by Spangler. But printing issues resulted in smeared messages or blank hearts. (A quick note: Blank hearts could be the perfect Valentine’s Day candy for men or women afraid of committing to a relationship.)

Spangler’s conversation hearts, brightly colored and with new messages, look to be on track to regain their impressive market share.

If you’ve long believed the observation that turned up on blues recordings in the ‘20s and ‘30s, “Candy’s dandy but liquor’s quicker,” you may want to sample candy-infused vodka. There are instructions on various websites, though we have to admit it doesn’t appear particularly appealing. Remember, the vodka is still booze regardless of its candy color, so don’t sip candy and drive.

Finally, here’s a great big conversation heart for the NJ Spotlight News community we’re always in dialogue with. By the way, try the coconut clusters. To die for.