Buying your paramour a box of assorted chocolates or chocolate-dipped strawberries is a safe bet on Valentine's Day, but why not give a more unique cocoa-themed gift? Many local confectioners offer sweets that are decidedly more interesting than a candy-filled cardboard heart. Here are a few of our favorites.
Emily's [1] Milk Chocolate Love Fortunes
Six of Emily's milk-chocolate-dipped fortune cookies are artfully packaged in a delightful red Chinese takeout box. Each cookie hides a message of love and romance. $4.99 at www.emilyschocolates.com [2].
Seattle [3] Chocolates [4] Chick Chocolates
The perfect gift for your single pal, Chick Chocolates from Seattle Chocolates are hard candy pieces available in four personalities: Extreme (dark chocolate), Nutty (almonds, toffee and milk chocolate), Strong (milk chocolate) and Survivor (white chocolate and raspberries). All proceeds from the Survivor chocolates help fund breast-cancer research. $3.95-$16.95 at Metropolitan Market [4].
Chocolove [5] XOXOX
With wrappers that look like vintage postcards, these four flavored chocolate bars make for a Valentine gift that's just a touch exotic. The collection includes dark chocolate bars infused with chilies and cherries; crystallized ginger; cherries and almonds; and orange peel. $20 for four bars at Chocolate Box [5].
Theo Chocolate [6] Aphrodisiac Confection Collection
Yes, it comes in a cardboard box, but Theo Chocolate's limited-edition Valentine's Day collection is anything but ordinary. The 18 confections feature herbs and spices recognized for their ability to inspire desire: rose, lavender, jalapeno and Ceylon cinnamon, among others. $40 at Theo Chocolate [6].
Fiori Chocolatiers [7] Drinking Chocolate Collection
Sip a delectable cup of cocoa with your sweetie with Fiori Chocolatiers' distinctive drinking chocolates, offered in three unusual flavors: the spicy Peporoncino; Matcha, a blend of white chocolate and green tea; and the 70-percent-cacao Drinking Chocolate. $55 for three tins at Chocolate Box [7].
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