Valentine’s Day chocolate

Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s and White Day in Japan, sending your interest a Danish gaekkebrev, or carving your love a wooden spoon in Wales, there’s one gift many people can agree on for Valentine’s day; chocolate! So, which will you get? LINDOR truffles? Cordial cherries? What about 30%, or 64%? Wait… What does that mean?

First thing’s first when you’re deciding on a chocolate for someone; do they like dark chocolate, or milk chocolate? Be aware; the higher the percentage, the darker the chocolate. With that information out of the way, why should we stop at regular milk and dark? Let’s take a look at some not-so-regular chocolate options! All chocolates listed are available at your local Cost Plus World Market.

Meiji Milk Chocolate, $2.99

Chosen for its foreign origin, the Japanese Meiji bar has a cocoa percentage of about 26%. If you’re looking for a particularly “milky” milk chocolate, this is the one! It’s very creamy and sweet. Meiji also has a darker chocolate (36%) called “Black Chocolate,” that is comparable to semisweet baking chips.

World Market Caramel Popcorn Milk Chocolate, $2.49

If your Valentine is prone to a love of salted caramel chocolate, this one is great, and has an interesting twist. At 33%, it’s sugary, but not very rich in texture, making it a good chocolate bar to eat in one sitting. It’s special trait is that is has popping candy inside of it, which makes it pop in your mouth as you eat it! It’s a good find, and delicious for lovers of salty-sweet.

La Naya Pistachio and Cocoa Nibs White Chocolate, $4.99

Because white chocolate isn’t real chocolate, (it’s not made with cocoa powder!) it’s 40% cocoa is in reference to the nibs. This chocolate is creamy and smooth, and has a distinct pistachio flavor. Visually, it has interesting geometric pieces.

Goodio Vegan Coconut Chocolate, $5.99

Goodio sells raw, organic, vegan chocolates (also purchasable online) that packs an interesting flavor. The coconut variety is 51% cocoa, but is very bitter compared to other chocolates in that range. It has a very defined natural coconut flavor; nothing like the sweetened or artificial coconut treats you find most other places.

Chuao Honeycomb Dark Chocolate, $4.99

At 60% cocoa, this chocolate is just barely over the border of dark. Due to this and its combination with the crunchy honeycomb on the inside, the bitterness is next to nothing. With the honey counteracting its dark chocolate traits, you’re left with a fairly sweet treat.

De Villiers Lime and Ginger Dark Chocolate, $4.99

This chocolate probably has the strongest, most interesting taste of them all. It’s 70%, making it the darkest on the list, so be prepared for a bitter bite! The most powerful flavor involved is the ginger. The lime is not nearly as potent, but can be found in the chocolate if you search a little bit..

Now that you’ve heard a bit about some different chocolates, which one sounds best for your Valentine? Pair it with a bouquet of flowers, and you’ll be good to go! Have a happy Valentine’s day!