Why do we give chocolate on Valentine’s Day?
6 Feb 2025
Find out what connects Valentine’s Day’s long history with chocolate and see how we’re crafting opulent, cacao-rich gifts that balance timeless appeal with modern innovation.
For many of us, Valentine’s Day is synonymous with chocolate gifts. Chocolate hearts, decadent truffles, and warming cups of velvety-smooth hot chocolate all make an appearance to captivate the senses and keep the February chill at bay.
From its sumptuous aroma to its melt-in-the-mouth texture, there’s something undeniably romantic about chocolate — but how and why did it become the quintessential food of love for Valentine’s Day?
Let’s explore the entwined history of Valentine’s Day and chocolate, ready to set the mood for a day of love and appreciation.
The history of Valentine’s Day: A recap
Before we look at how chocolate became an intrinsic part of the Valentine’s Day traditions we know and love, it’s worth taking a step back in time to see what lies at the heart of this annual holiday…
Valentine’s Day traces its roots to ancient Rome, where mid-February was marked by a festival known as Lupercalia. Celebrating fertility and purification, it’s thought to have been in honour of Lupa, the she-wolf who raised Romulus and Remus (Rome’s founders) or Faunus, the god of fertility.
Later, as Christianity spread, the day evolved to honour Saint Valentine. Although this figure is shrouded in mystery, many people believe that he sent love letters from prison, earning a reputation as a hopeless romantic. Others suggest he performed secret marriages, helping couples declare their love.
By the Middle Ages, February the 14th had become closely connected with courtly love. Poets like Chaucer romanticised the season, highlighting how it was the time that birds started to pair off.
Over time, the day has continued to blossom into a celebration of love, with people exchanging gifts as tokens of affection.
Why do we give chocolate on Valentine’s Day?
As Valentine’s Day evolved into a celebration of love and affection, so too did the traditions that accompany it. And at the heart of these traditions lies chocolate. But why did this delectable treat become such a perfect pairing with romance?
Ancient beginnings
To decipher this, we need to once again look to the past. You may have heard that chocolate — and particularly hot chocolate — was an integral part of Aztec and Mayan cultures.
These civilisations harnessed the cacao bean, transforming it into a revered drink known as xocoatl — a bitter, spiced elixir believed to energise the body and elevate the spirit. Xocaoatl was seen as an aphrodisiac and was particularly appreciated by Emperor Montezuma, who thought it enhanced his romantic prowess.
Is chocolate an aphrodisiac?
While there’s no firm evidence to show chocolate’s aphrodisiac effects, the Aztec and Mayan’s divine connection between cacao and love — intertwined with its luxurious allure — set the stage for its enduring role as a symbol of passion and devotion.
Fast-forward thousands of years, and cacao found its way to Europe. Brought over by explorers in the 1500s, it became an opulent treat for the wealthy. Adding milk, sugar, and other luxuries of the time, confectioners created delightful morsels that retained their romantic reputation.
With the addition of these extra ingredients, chocolate started to look a little more like the delights we know and love today. Perhaps it’s the creamy texture and alluring aroma that helped secure it as a sensual nibble?
This was only enhanced in the Victorian era when chocolate became more widely available. It was still very much an exclusive expense for the wealthy, but now gentlemen and ladies could exchange beautifully adorned gift boxes, filled with all manner of chocolate bites.
At this time, there was also a big focus on courtship — so romantic gestures like a chocolate gift box became the perfect symbol of dedicated affection.
An enduring tradition
Nowadays, Valentine’s Day gifts come in all shapes and sizes. However, there’s something particularly appealing about lifting the lid from a heart-shaped box, revealing a collection of irresistible chocolates nestled inside.
Perhaps the best part of modern-day Valentine’s Day chocolates is that there’s something to suit every taste. From exuberantly fruity chocolates bursting with zingy fillings to lavish caramels, you can find a thoughtful gift to charm every palate.
Exciting yet intimate, a box of Valentine’s Day chocolates offers an experience that blends the thrill of discovery with the warmth of affection.
Valentine’s Day chocolate from the heart
At Hotel Chocolat, we pride ourselves on offering an exquisite range of chocolate creations that satisfy your tastebuds while evoking a sense of emotion.
Our talented chocolatiers carefully curate our recipes to create collections that provide an indulgent experience that feels both luxurious and personal.
Of course, while we can see that chocolate makes a wonderful Valentine’s Day gift, choosing the collection that best conveys your feelings towards your loved one takes a little thought. With this in mind, we’ve put together some tips to help you find the Valentine’s Day chocolates that will remind both you and your giftee of your unique and unwavering connection,
1. Know their preferences
Valentine’s Day offers the perfect opportunity to show your partner, friend, or loved one how well you know them. Perhaps they have a favourite chocolate Selector that they pick up as a self-care treat. Or maybe they’ve recently embarked on Veganuary and are thinking about living a more plant-based lifestyle.
Do they enjoy the decadent depths of 85% dark chocolate? Or do they prefer the light creaminess of our white chocolate?
Considering these will highlight that you’ve been paying attention and have really thought about what your recipient would like.
With so many options on offer here at Hotel Chocolat, including vegan* Valentine’s chocolates, we’re sure you’ll find the gift that says “I get you”.
You can also explore our Chocolate Love Match quiz. Just a few quick questions and you or your giftee will be matched up with your perfect cacao partner. Which of the following will be the ultimate match?
There’s only one way to find out…
*Please note, we believe our dark and Nutmilk chocolate is suitable for vegans. However, as it is made in the same environment as our milk chocolate, we cannot guarantee it‘s free from milk.
2. Go for a gift box or collection
Variety is the spice of life (and Valentine’s Day), so you could also look at choosing a gift that showcases the full breadth of cacao’s capabilities. Our Valentine’s Day range includes chocolate boxes like the With Love Sleekster, which contains 27 heart-shaped nibbles. From Caramel Pistachio Praline and Lemon Curd to Amaretto, these chocolates cover every flavour profile.
For a truly generous show of love and affection, there’s the Chocolatier’s Table. Boasting 69 divine chocolates covering our most iconic recipes, it offers a sophisticated array of truffles, pralines, caramels, Batons, and more. Perfect for squirrelling away for indulgent moments of self-care or for sharing with your nearest and dearest, it exudes passion and affection.
3. Include a personalised message
Our Valentine’s Day gifts are perfect for conveying a message of love. Every morsel speaks for itself, offering indulgence and affection without words. However, you can still make your gift even more personal by adding a unique, heartfelt message.
Add a personalised gift card. Sign it with your name or leave an air of mystery with an intriguing question mark… Explore our gift wrap options for more information.
Timeless romance with a modern twist
The Hotel Chocolat collection holds the traditional appeal of Valentine’s chocolates at its heart. Balancing timeless romance with innovative recipes and the finest ingredients, our Valentine’s Day chocolates offer the ideal way to show love and care.
No matter your giftee’s flavour preferences, we have something for everyone.
