Chocolate is the most important part of Valentine's Day.
Some may argue with that, but they will be wrong. Chocolate can be given to ANYONE for Valentine's Day (mom, dad, kids, spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, teachers, students, friends, neighbors...you get the idea), with the exception of maybe your dog (yeah, DON'T DO THAT!).
Good chocolate is getting more and more accessible everyday in America which is VERY exciting! It's easier than ever to #eatbetterchocolate and GIVE better chocolate because it's easier than ever to FIND and BUY better chocolate. So make it a point this year to please skip the Palmer/$1 store quality chocolate and get something yummy. Something that is ACTUALLY chocolate. Not wax and vegetable oil. Your mom, dad, kids, spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, teachers, students, friends, neighbors will thank you.
I've spent some time curating what I think is a great variety of ideas to fill that all-important "chocolate" part of Valentine's Day. You might also want to use this guide as a gentle hint, hint to whomever might be buying YOU chocolate to make sure you get to #eatbetterchocolate too!
2. Zotter Mitzi Blue Rock & Roses or Marrakesh MilkChocolate – $7.99 + $7.99 shipping under $20 or purchase in store at
Chocolopolis – for the international chocolate lover (or for the person who
doesn’t like it when you buy flowers, because they die) – What a fun way to
give chocolate AND roses without even buying roses. My friends spent some time
in Europe over the holidays and were kind enough to bring me a lovely variety
of chocolate. Zotter was, lucky for me, one of the brands they brought from
Austria. I have thoroughly enjoyed Zotter, so I am sure these bars are also fabulous.
And since they carry it at Chocolopolis, it’d be quite surprising if they were
anything short of amazing.
3. 33 Bars of Chocolate Tasting Notes – $5.00 + $2.60 shipping
(or $5.74 w free prime shipping/free shipping for orders over $35 on Amazon) – for the
chocolate explorer – My brother got this book for me last year and I love it.
It is so fun to draw tasting profiles and fill out the pages for each bar. It
feels very sciency. It’s like a lab notebook for your chocolate explorations.
Plus, there is chocolate in the ink. Awesome!
4. Godiva Coupes d’Amour Chocolates – $28 + $10.95 shipping (free
for $50+) or purchase at a boutique – editor’s choice (this is what I want) – A few weeks ago I
popped in at the Godiva Boutique and these caught my attention immediately. Tell
me, how cute are they? I have never been disappointed with Godiva and can’t
wait to try these little cups of love (on sale after vday, if my hubby doesn't get the hint).
5. Chuao Popping Hearts – $10.95 +$6 shipping (free for $60+)
– for the adventurous chocolate lover – These are back on my Valentine Guide.
I think they are just so unique and fun. Chuao makes great tasting chocolate
and who doesn’t like the nostalgia of popping candy?
6. Dick Taylor Bolivia, Alto Beni Limited Release – $11 + $10
shipping (free for $75+) – for the presentation-matters chocolate lover – Dick Taylor
chocolate bars are the prettiest bars I have ever seen. This, or any of the
Dick Taylor bars, would be perfect for someone who loves pretty things with it’s
lacy pattern. The Belize, Toledo bar ($8.50), was recently featured in the NYTIMES as one of the top 8 best bean-to-bar chocolate. And this Bolivia, Alto
Beni Limited Release just won a Good Food Award for 2016. Many retailers carry
this brand including Central Market, Whole Foods, Chocolopolis, The Chocolate Box
and more.
7. Ritual Bars – $5 + $7.00 shipping (free for $40+ with code
or purchase in a store) – for the no frills chocolate lover – Ritual is
rolling out new packaging soon and so they are in a mad rush to get all their current
packaging out the door. All the bars are $5 on their site which is a steal.
Ritual was also recently featured in the NY TIMES article and won Good Food Awards for 2016
for two of their bars. So they are fab and can be found at most stores who carry good chocolate.
8. Godiva Mini Chocolate Hearts Box – $7 + $10.95 shipping (free
for $50+) or purchase at a boutique – for the littles – maybe you are skipping
chocolate all together this year for the kiddos. I was considering that myself,
until I saw these adorable boxes. How fun for the kiddos to get their own
little box (there’s only 6 pieces). Skip the disgusting poor quality Palmer candies and novelty
Frozen/Avengers themed sweets. The kids can
#eatbetterchocolate too!
So there you have it! Hope you all have a delicious Valentine's Day!!
Cheers!
