Why We Traditionally Give Chocolate on Valentine’s Day

For as long as most of us can remember, chocolate has been the number one gift-giving choice for Valentine’s Day – especially when paired with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. It’s been this way for so long that very few people ever question where this tradition originated from. However, we’re asking now; how did chocolate come to be such a traditional Valentine’s Day treat?

Though Valentine’s Day was not always recognized as a day of love and romance, during the 1840s the Victorians relished the idea of displaying affection by innocently showering their intendeds with gifts. According to History.com, it was around this time that Richard Cadbury, heir to the well-known chocolate manufacturing company, saw an opportunity to capitalize.

At the time, chocolate had primarily been enjoyed as a beverage. After Cadbury discovered a new way to extract pure cocoa butter directly from a bean however, things began to evolve. It not only resulted in a better tasting product, but also left the company with enough extra cocoa butter to produce different types of “eating chocolate”. Because stories of Cupid were so popular during this time period and knights were known to gift their women with roses, Cadbury chose to use this knowledge to his company’s advantage. They began selling their chocolates in heart-shaped boxes adorned with images of roses and the small, winged God to create the association between the chocolates and love – and it worked.

Today, the link between love and this decadent, confectionery treat remains. The only thing that has seemed to alter is the fact that we have had hundreds of years to perfect the art of chocolatiering.

If you’re planning to spend a romantic evening at home with a special someone this Valentine’s Day, don’t forget that our handmade artisan chocolates can be perfectly complemented with a crisp glass of wine. For reference, explore the Wine and Chocolate page of our website before placing your holiday order. If you don’t consider yourself much of a wine drinker, don’t worry; we have also outlined the best chocolate and beer pairings to accommodate all taste buds.

Delicious artisan chocolates and quality one-on-one time spent with the one person you care for most. What’s not to fall in love with? Allow us to help make the day extra special. Contact The Chocolate Fetish today to ensure your order arrives in time for the most romantic day of the year.

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