I have a “not-so-secret” secret. I am a chocoholic. That means, with Valentine’s Day-the celebratory day of my love for chocolate and candy-I am in hog heaven. There are treats everywhere I look so I’m not complaining.
This sponsored post is brought to you by the National Confectioners Association and coordinated by Wendy’s Bloggers. All opinions are my own.
This year, I’m teaming up with the National Confectioners Association, which represents more than 500 of America’s chocolate and candy companies, to celebrate this iconic candy moment. They’re sharing the scoop on some of the most often-asked questions about Valentine’s Day candy – and I’m excited to share them with you.
When you open a box of chocolate, how do you pick which piece to eat?
If you’re one of the 50 percent of chocolate lovers, you use the “map” in the box of chocolates to find your favorites. This is my preferred method. It works unless one of my children has sneakily moved the pieces to different spots.
Another 31 percent pick at random. The remainder bites the corner to determine the chocolate’s filling (13 percent) or pokes at the bottom of the piece of chocolate (6 percent) to determine its contents. I’ll admit, I’ve done both of these as a kid, resulting in my mom asking, “Who poked holes in all the chocolate?”
Do you know the most popular filling in a box of chocolates?
According to 32 percent of Americans, it’s caramel! It’s no surprise that the other popular fillings include nuts and chocolate. I’m a fan of caramel, nuts, and chocolate mixed together. Let’s cover all the bases.
How do you tell what’s in those chocolates?
Here are some tips. Large bumpy surfaces usually indicate nuts, while small bumpy surfaces usually indicate coconut. Soft caramels are usually flat and round, while firm caramels are square or rectangular.
Some sweet facts about candy and Valentine’s Day.
*Every year Jeopardy includes trivia questions about candy hearts on the show.
*Dark chocolate can be stored for up to two years if kept in wrapped in foil and in a cool, dark place. This way you can always have a secret stash!
*In the 1800s doctors advised their patients to eat chocolate to mend a broken heart.
Looking for Nutrition Facts?
Valentine’s Day is about more than fun facts about our favorite holiday treats. The National Confectioners Association is providing extra resources on Valentine’s Day Central for parents looking to encourage a balanced approach to treats centered around big candy moments. Valentine’s Day Central is part of the candy industry’s commitment to helping people manage their sugar intake by providing consumers with information, options, and support as they enjoy their favorite treats. Check it out and let me know what you think!
Happy Valentine’s Day! Don’t forget to show our friends at the National Confectioners Association some Valentine’s Day love by following them on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook and using the hashtag #ValentinesDayTreats and #NCAlove in your sweet treat posts.
Whether you plan to spend the day working and the evening quietly reading a book and eating sweet treats-like I am- celebrating with friends in a Galentine’s Day event, or planning a romantic night with your significant other, enjoy one of those classic Valentine’s Day treats.
How are you spending Valentine’s Day?
Chocolate is a great start to Valentine’s Day. I love flowers and a good meal as a special treat.
Chocolate covered strawberries, for sure!
We haven’t made any plans yet for Valentine’s day. I can’t believe it is this week!
Chocolates have always featured in my plans every year as a Valentine’s day gift along with a nice card and a bunch of roses. I like your ideas too.
Fun little study there. Myself, I always confer the map before choosing. Chocolate covered nuts are my favourite, followed by the caramels.
Hope this Valentines brings you some indulgence for your chocolate cravings.
Valentine’s day is near and I haven’t planned anything. Chocolates and roses are perfect for this day.
Snuggles are the BEST on Valentine’s Day.. and just about any day of the week! Hope you have a wonderful celebration.
We are staying home this Valentines, not because we want to but because our chronic illnesses are not being cooperative. Oh well,I guess I will just have to make a special dinner or if we just choose to laze around the whole day, I am calling for pizza delivery. Haha.
I will never get tired of a good box of chocolates. I always love getting the kind with the little map on top!
Adorable post you shared! Chocolate covered strawberries are my favorite!
my lovers love chocolate so much as me, so for us it’s awesome present!
A good chocolate selection is king! 😀
But for valentines I am hoping to get a trip 😛
I like the valentine day recipe. Yes I am 9% of Americans who likes coconut. Love this candy post.
I am totally with Terri above. Give me a caramel or caramel and nut cluster and I am thrilled with that. I love Purdys chocolates too. Might just be a Canadian brand, not sure. Adore Laura Secord because it is delicious.
Chocolates… Is the only time of the year when go on a chocolate overdose and then I just don’t want to eat it that much lol
hahaha, Caramel is my favorite! Whenever I get a box of chocolates I always search for the caramel ones. Good ole See’s candies.
If it is Russell Stovers, I have the patterns memorized. No more mistakes! I am a caramel bon bon and a nut cluster fan plus I adore their chocolate covered cherries.
Interesting! I am one of the 50%. I like checking the map first and look for the ones I like most before someone gets it. lol!
Wow this is a really fun read! I don’t eat chocolate much but there are times I do crave it and then I usually have a little Hershey’s hug.
A good chocolate selection is yummy. I’m definitely part of the 50% that uses the map to see what chocolates are in the box lol.
So many great fun facts about chocolate. It is so sad when you get the wrong one so those maps are so helpful. I can only afford to have one piece this holiday so i have to be sure it is the right one.
Hands up I love a good praline chocolate, or one with some nuts. I have nothing sorted for Valentine’s yet – I should really get thinking about it as Ash is so hard to buy for!
Love these stats. Glad to see coconut wasn’t on the list of best fillings.
I currently do not have any plans for Valentine’s Day. I might go out to dinner.
How cool. I like chocolate! I just tell my husband to get me chocolate, and I do the same for him. I found him chocolate in the shape of tools, so that’ll be fun.