Each State’s Favorite Valentine Candy in 2026
45 out of 50 states still prefer to buy chocolate on Valentine’s Day.
56% of all US consumers continue to purchase candy on Valentine’s Day.
Approximately 36 million boxes of heart-shaped chocolates are sold annually for Valentine’s Day.
47% of individuals report they will treat themselves to a box of chocolates this year.
Valentine’s Day has evolved beyond its origins as a celebration of romantic love. Today, it serves as a heartfelt occasion to express appreciation for friends, family, and even coworkers. This shift in sentiment means that on February 14th, offices across the nation are filled with sweets, particularly candy. However, as anyone who has attended an office gathering knows, not all treats carry the same allure.
If you’re aiming to win the affection of your colleagues through the classic method of candy gifting, what should you bring to make the best impression?
We’ve done the legwork to uncover each state’s favorite Valentine’s Day candy, so you know what to bring to impress. Spoiler alert: most states opt for a more subtle (and chocolate-laden) way of saying “I love you” over traditional conversation hearts.
Other Interesting Findings
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The top Valentine’s Day candy is still chocolate-covered strawberries.
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Chocolate roses and M&Ms are tied for second place. Want to guess how many of those M&Ms are pink and white?
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Brand loyalty remains strong, with Dove chocolates preferred over Lindor.
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California favors “candy necklaces” the most… which may seem like a sticky situation, but to each their own.
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While conversation hearts are a classic Valentine’s choice, only 4 states prefer them, indicating that most individuals gravitate towards a more understated “I love you.”
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Valentine’s Day is celebrated with a box of chocolates in Kansas, South Carolina, and Idaho.
How We Figured This Out
Utilizing Google Trends, we analyzed which Valentine’s Day candies each state consumes in greater proportions. We categorized Valentine’s Day candy as those with a notable spike in search volume leading up to the holiday. This analysis allowed us to pinpoint what candy garners disproportionately high interest in each state.
For instance, even though California enjoys a wide variety of candies, the search interest in “candy necklace” is significantly higher there compared to other states, making them the most popular choice in California.
Some decisions were contentious, including counting chocolate-covered strawberries as candy, but the data spoke for itself. We focused on the first two weeks of February to assess the most searched candies, the peak period for Valentine’s Day candy shopping. Any changes in trends will become apparent after Valentine’s Day, and who wants to wait to find out? Fortunately, most of us will likely continue indulging in M&Ms and chocolates for years to come.
How Do You Say I Love You?
One thing remains clear: gifting candy is a significant way to show you care. In fact, 69% of Americans would still prefer candy over other gifts for Valentine’s Day. So, what type of candy should you bring to make a lasting impression? Chocolate!
Almost all states favor chocolate, while the others… well, taste is subjective. Regardless, if you want to offer your coworkers a treat that they’ll appreciate, chocolate is a fail-safe choice that will leave you with neither an empty candy bowl nor treats reluctantly consumed.
Each State’s Favorite Valentine’s Day Candy
| State | Candy |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Chocolate Roses |
| Alaska | Dove Chocolate |
| Arizona | M&Ms |
| Arkansas | Hershey Kisses |
| California | Candy Necklaces |
| Colorado | M&Ms |
| Connecticut | Chocolate Truffles |
| Delaware | Dove Chocolate |
| District of Columbia | Hershey Kisses |
| Florida | Hershey Kisses |
| Georgia | Chocolate Strawberries |
| Hawaii | Dove Chocolate |
| Idaho | Box of Chocolates |
| Illinois | Chocolate Strawberries |
| Indiana | Hershey Kisses |
| Iowa | Conversation Hearts |
| Kansas | Box of Chocolates |
| Kentucky | Chocolate Roses |
| Louisiana | Chocolate Truffles |
| Maine | Conversation Hearts |
| Maryland | Chocolate Roses |
| Massachusetts | Chocolate Roses |
| Michigan | Conversation Hearts |
| Minnesota | Dove Chocolate |
| Mississippi | Chocolate Strawberries |
| Missouri | M&Ms |
| Montana | Chocolate Truffles |
| Nebraska | M&Ms |
| Nevada | M&Ms |
| New Hampshire | Chocolate Truffles |
| New Jersey | Chocolate Strawberries |
| New Mexico | Chocolate Roses |
| New York | Heart Shaped Chocolates |
| North Carolina | Chocolate Roses |
| North Dakota | Conversation Hearts |
| Ohio | Chocolate Strawberries |
| Oklahoma | Chocolate Strawberries |
| Oregon | Chocolate Roses |
| Pennsylvania | Chocolate Strawberries |
| Rhode Island | M&Ms |
| South Carolina | Box of Chocolates |
| South Dakota | Hershey Kisses |
| Tennessee | Chocolate Strawberries |
| Texas | Heart Shaped Chocolates |
| Utah | Dove Chocolate |
| Vermont | M&Ms |
| Virginia | Chocolate Strawberries |
| Washington | Chocolate Roses |
| West Virginia | Chocolate Strawberries |
| Wisconsin | Chocolate Truffles |
| Wyoming | M&Ms |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
