Valentine's Day Guide 2016

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!

 1. Theo My Cherry Baby – $4 + $10 shipping or purchase in store – for the cherry cordial lover – this is a FABULOUS and FESTIVE chocolate choice for Valentine’s Day. In the Seattle area, it is pretty easy to find Theo bars, and most of those retailers will be carrying this also (I saw it at the University Bookstore just yesterday). And if you end up in a bind stuck at home with kids or at work…have no fear…PRIMENOW does have other Theo bars available with 2-4 hour free delivery in the Seattle area. You just download the app and fill your cart to $20+. TOO easy.

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!