As many people scramble to find Valentine’s Day gifts for their loved ones, they often turn to a timeless and trusted gift: chocolate. But the sheer amount of chocolate to choose from can become overwhelming. Which chocolate tastes best? Which gives the most bang for its buck? These are questions that plague consumers leading up to this holiday.
Hershey’s
A classic brand that many turn to during the holidays, the Hershey’s company offers simple, classic chocolate for an affordable price. A 10 oz bag of their Valentine’s Day Milk Chocolate Candy varies from three to five dollars depending on the retailer. These well-loved kisses are smooth and very sweet, which may not appeal to some. They’re nothing too special, but they do come wrapped in pink and red foil to fit the Valentine’s Day spirit.
Ghirardelli
The Ghirardelli company offers countless flavor combinations for even the pickiest customer. The two main chocolates they’re advertising for this year’s Valentine’s Day are the Milk Chocolate Caramel Duet Hearts and the Strawberry Bark. The caramel hearts cost about eight dollars depending on the retailer. The milk chocolate and sweet caramel create a perfect Valentine’s Day combination for those with a sweet tooth. Although, the caramel and milk chocolate can be a slightly overpowering combination. Each chocolate is shaped like two conjoined hearts with elaborate swirl designs which are sure to impress.
The strawberry bark also sells for about eight dollars. These chocolates are shaped in the typical Ghirardelli squares. They are layered with white chocolate on top and milk chocolate on the bottom. The chocolate also holds pieces of real strawberries that give the treat a refreshing twist and help balance out the sweetness. This candy is the perfect choice for someone who may be slightly more adventurous or those who don’t like overly sweet candy.
Dove
Not to be confused with the toiletries brand, Dove Chocolates offers Chocolate Valentine’s Day Candy Hearts for the holiday. Although the price is slightly steeper at about 12 dollars a pack, it is certainly worth it. This pack contains both milk chocolate and dark chocolate. The heart-shaped candies perfectly fit the holiday. This chocolate is incredibly rich and slightly better, a perfect gift for those who don’t typically enjoy sweets. They are also wrapped in varying pink and red foil that are even decorated with swirly heart designs.
Godiva
For those looking for a fancier option, Godiva has plenty. The company offers many different assorted Valentine’s Day chocolate sets, ranging from 20 to 120 dollars. There are many different packaging options, customers can choose between a typical square shape or a more festive heart shape. There is also a wide variety of colors and patterns to go along with these boxes, and all of these come tied with a ribbon.
Just like the variety of packaging, there are also many different types of chocolates to choose from. The most notable is the Strawberry Crème Tarte Truffle. The strawberry truffle is composed of a pink-white chocolate shell with a strawberry purée and vanilla mousse on the inside. The richness of the white chocolate is balanced out by the strawberry purée, and the complex layers of flavor create the perfect combination. This chocolate is a unique and elaborate gift that is perfect for those willing to spend a little extra.
Lindor
Like Godiva, Lindor offers many varieties of assorted chocolates for a slightly steeper price. Although there are some cheaper alternatives, many Lindor Valentine’s Day chocolates are around the 30-dollar range. The Lindor Classic Heart is the most common collection of assorted chocolates.
Decorated with pink and gold flowers, these chocolate hearts are sure to dazzle the recipient. They each contain 12 chocolates. There are four types of chocolates: the milk chocolate truffle, the milk chocolate heart with white filling, the extra dark chocolate truffle and the dark chocolate heart. Although these chocolates tend to be more bitter, they may appeal to those who don’t love the incredibly sweet taste of chocolates like Hershey’s.
There are countless different types of chocolates out there that could make a perfect gift for that special someone. These are just a few of the many options. But Valentine’s Day isn’t just about the gifts, it’s about celebrating love, so keep that in mind when looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.
