This Map Reveals America’s Favorite Valentine’s Day Candy By State

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and like many people, we’re thinking about what gifts to get for our loved ones. While Valentine’s Day started out as a romantic holiday, today, it often includes celebrating friendship as well. Kids exchange Valentines with their classmates and make them for their parents. Co-workers share candy. And, of course, your significant other might surprise you with a gift as well.

When we think of Valentine’s Day gifts, we often think of flowers and candy. Personally, we prefer candy. Flowers, stuffed animals and jewelry are all great gift ideas (jewelry especially if it’s for someone particularly special), but candy is universal. You can give candy to your friends, your kids and your spouse. Unless they’re on a strict diet, most people like a sweet treat once in awhile.

Zippia compiled the data to discover which type of Valentine’s Day candy is most popular in each state. They did this by using Google Trends to figure out what type of candy people in each state are searching for the 2 weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day. They admit that they made a few unusual decisions, like allowing chocolate covered strawberries to be considered candy, but they explain “search volume doesn’t lie and that peak meant our hands were tied.”

Most states prefer a particular type of chocolate candy. In fact, 45 out of 50 states prefer a particular type of chocolate candy. Dove chocolate, M&Ms and Hershey’s Kisses were all very popular, but the out-of-the-box not-really-candy option of chocolate covered strawberries is actually the most popular Valentine’s Day candy.

Not every state chose chocolate. For example, California prefers candy necklaces, and some states actually chose the traditional conversation hearts.

If you’re wondering if a box of chocolates is still a safe bet, the answer is yes in Kansas, Idaho and South Carolina. We’re guessing that other states that love chocolate would enjoy a box of chocolates as well but not as much as the candy they’re searching for the most.

Look at the map below to see which type of candy is most popular for Valentine’s Day in your state. Whether or not you agree with your state’s search data, it might help you decide what type of candy to buy for that new friend or co-worker you don’t know all that well.

What’s your favorite type of Valentine’s Day candy? Who are you buying Valentine’s Day candy for this year? Do you agree with this map’s most popular candy decision for your state?