Morrisons is selling a limited edition heart-shaped tart for Valentine’s Day – but people are making the same joke about the supermarket’s treat, which has left many baffled
Valentine’s Day is creeping up fast – and loved-up couples or hopeful romantics might be scrambling to find the perfect gesture to sweep their other half off their feet.
With supermarkets bursting with tempting goodies and romantic gifts, picking the right one for your beloved can feel like a minefield. But Morrisons’ latest offering has got shoppers chuckling for all the wrong reasons.
The supermarket’s freshly made heart tart is a limited-edition creation that’s supposedly designed to “send customers’ hearts aflutter this Valentine’s Day”. According to Morrisons: “The butter pastry case is filled with a hand-made smooth crème pâtissière, finished with delicately placed hand-cut fresh British strawberries and drizzled with a sweet raspberry glaze to finish”.
But when Newfoodsuk posted a snap of the dessert on Facebook, shoppers were left scratching their heads – all cracking identical jokes about the romantic treat.
Plenty reckoned the shape was rather dodgy, completely ruining any romantic vibes the heart design was meant to create.
One person quipped: “That’s a heart shape? I’d be surprised if Aldi UK doesn’t roast this”. Another chimed in: “Aww, it’s sweet they’re giving children the opportunity to show off their baking [skills]”.
A third person took a swipe: “That heart looks as though it’s been cheated on several times.” Meanwhile, someone else observed: “It looks squashed.”
Nevertheless, it wasn’t simply the design that left customers fuming. Some were appalled that supermarkets “make something heart-shaped and then charge double”.
One questioned: “Bro, why is a bit of pastry and cream £6?” Despite these complaints, the Market Street Large Strawberry Flan costs £5, so the heart variant only adds an extra £1.
It’s also worth mentioning that it’s probably more affordable than heading out for a romantic meal at a restaurant on February 14th.
Where does the Valentine’s Day tradition originate?
Valentine’s Day, marked on February 14th, has roots that combine ancient Roman customs, Christian heritage, and subsequent romantic practices.
The celebration is frequently connected to the Roman festival of Lupercalia, observed in mid-February. Lupercalia was a fertility festival devoted to Faunus, the Roman deity of farming, and to Romulus and Remus, Rome’s legendary founders. The ceremonies featured rituals designed to encourage fertility and cleanse the city.
Yet, the contemporary name derives from Saint Valentine – a Christian martyr. Several tales exist about Saint Valentine, though the most widely accepted tells of a priest in Rome who conducted clandestine weddings for young couples, defying Emperor Claudius II, who had prohibited marriage for young men.
Valentine was put to death on February 14th, and subsequently, the date became linked with his sacrifice. By medieval times, Valentine’s Day had become linked with romantic love, particularly across England and France.
This connection stemmed partly from the notion that 14th February marked the start of birds’ mating season. The custom of swapping love letters and keepsakes flourished, and by the 1700s, it had become commonplace to send handcrafted cards and presents.
Whilst you should cherish your loved ones every single day of the year, it’s lovely to have another reason to get romantic!
