The tradition of buying chocolates for Valentine’s Day is believed to have originated in the 19th century. At the time, chocolate was considered a luxury item and was relatively expensive. However, as manufacturing processes improved and the price of chocolate decreased, it became more accessible to the general public.
The first chocolate factory in the United States was established by Conrad Van Houten in the 1828, making it easier for people to purchase chocolate.
In the late 1800s, candy companies began to capitalize on the growing popularity of chocolate by marketing it as a gift for Valentine’s Day. These early Valentine’s Day chocolates were often packaged in heart-shaped boxes, which helped to further establish the association between chocolate and the holiday.
It was also around that time that the industrial revolution made it possible to produce chocolate in mass quantities and chocolate makers began to experiment with new forms and flavors of chocolate.
By the early 20th century, Valentine’s Day chocolates had become a major industry, with many companies competing to produce the most creative and appealing chocolate gifts. The tradition of giving chocolates to loved ones on Valentine’s Day has continued to this day and it’s considered as a romantic and thoughtful gift.
The most expensive chocolate in the world is considered to be the To’ak chocolate. To’ak chocolate is made from the rarest cacao beans in the world, which are aged for a minimum of five years before being processed.
To’ak chocolate is made from 100% pure Nacional cacao, a type of cacao that was believed to be extinct in the 20th century. But it was rediscovered in Ecuador in the early 2000s.
Each bar of To’ak chocolate is packaged in a hand-crafted Spanish cedar box, and comes with a certificate of authenticity. The chocolate is also accompanied by a pair of antique chocolate tasting spoons.
Because of the high cost of the rare cacao beans and the labor-intensive process of creating the chocolate, a single bar of To’ak chocolate can cost up to $260.
It should be noted that there are other luxury chocolates out there that are also considered expensive such as Godiva, Lindt, and Valrhona that are considered expensive too, but they don’t reach the same level of price as To’ak.
Some of the most popular chocolate brands for Valentine’s Day include:
- Godiva: Known for their high-quality, gourmet chocolates, Godiva is a popular choice for Valentine’s Day gifts. They offer a wide variety of chocolates, including truffles, caramels, and creams, as well as chocolate-covered fruits and nuts.
- Lindt: This Swiss chocolate company is known for its smooth and creamy chocolate truffles and chocolate bars. They have a wide range of flavors and a reputation for high-quality ingredients.
- Ghirardelli: This American chocolate company is known for its rich and creamy chocolates, including its famous chocolate squares. They also have a wide range of chocolate bars and truffles.
- Toblerone: A Swiss chocolate brand known for its triangular shaped chocolate bars, it is a favourite among chocolate lovers and often given as a gift.
- Ferrero Rocher: This Italian chocolate brand is known for its hazelnut-filled chocolates, which are often packaged in elegant, gold-foil-wrapped boxes.
- Nestle: Nestle is one of the world’s largest chocolate manufacturers and offer a wide range of chocolate products, including KitKat, Aero, and Smarties.
It is important to note that the popularity of chocolate brands might vary by region and country, but these are some of the most well-known and widely available brands of chocolate that are often given as gifts on Valentine’s Day.
