美国国家公共电台 NPR Be Mine? Nope. SweetHeart Candies Hard To Find This Valentine's Day

（单词翻译）

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

For more than a century, those little, brightly colored, chalky candy hearts have helped people share their messages of love.

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

We're talking about Sweethearts. This is a candy made by Necco, the New England confectionary company. Even Martha Stewart loved them.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

MARTHA STEWART: And in my hand, I just happened to randomly¹ pick out a handful. Miss you. Yes, dear. You are a 10. And, my pet, my love. So romantic.

INSKEEP: But this year, the romance² is in short supply. Or, at least, the little hearts are. Necco, which was one of the oldest candy companies in America, abruptly³ shut down in 2018. And while a different company has purchased the Sweethearts' brand, it did not have enough time to produce enough candies for this Valentine's Day.

SHIRLEY GOULART: That's terrible. That's a staple⁴. They're getting rid of the conversation hearts.

MARTIN: She's so upset. That's Shirley Goulart (ph). We caught up with her and Hannah Derousseau (ph) outside a candy store in Washington, D.C.

HANNAH DEROUSSEAU: I'm sorry. If they can put a man on the moon but they can't make hearts...

GOULART: (Laughter).

DEROUSSEAU: I'm sure that someone could do it. If they really wanted to, they could.

GOULART: Yes. It's a great way for kids to talk to each other that are shy when they're little. And I just think it's sad.

INSKEEP: Chris Stanovic (ph) in Los Angeles was one of those kids who used the candies to let his grade-school crushes know his feelings.

CHRIS STANOVIC: You know, I was a little kid walking up with those little heart-shaped candies in your hand. You know, sweaty palms-type of Valentine's, queasy⁵ stomach. You know, I think every kid did that at one point.

MARTIN: Let's be honest, though. These candies didn't taste that great. Carissa Brones (ph) from Los Angeles never cared for the chalky taste.

CARISSA BRONES: I would always throw 'em out and give 'em away. (Laughter). I'd rather have, like, chocolate candy or something better-tasting.

MARTIN: There are versions from competitors available, but not the classic. And you can still find Sweethearts on eBay for your valentine.

INSKEEP: Good to know. They may not be fresh, but it's the message that counts.