Valentine's Day Gifts, Focus If You Haven't Prepared Yet!

Worrying Only Delays Delivery

February 14th, Valentine's Day is just around the corner. For those wondering what gift to give to a friend, lover, or secret crush, we have prepared a selection. Instead of easily available chocolates, we have gathered chocolates that look sincere and luxurious in every aspect, from packaging to price. Additionally, for those who need to prepare quickly, this time we have specially selected only products available for order on Market Kurly, so even if you haven't prepared a gift yet, there's no need to worry.

For taste comparison, milk chocolate was used as the standard. If milk chocolate is not available among the options, the one with the lowest cocoa content and least bitterness was chosen. Four types of chocolates that look similar but each tastes slightly different?scroll down to meet them!

[Cachet] Organic Chocolate Bar / 4,980 KRW

Cachet’s organic chocolate bar is a great gift for those who love chocolate but cannot eat it for health reasons. Made with cocoa butter and cocoa mass instead of palm oil, you don’t have to worry about the ingredients. Based on the recipe of a Belgian professional chocolatier, this chocolate is available in various cocoa contents, offering a wide range of choices. It comes in organic milk chocolate 40%, 85%, and 72% (sea salt).

When you open the luxurious package featuring an elephant on a wide meadow, you will find a large-sized chocolate inside. Despite the chocolate being hard enough not to break easily, it melts smoothly in your mouth, which is impressive. The taste is almost identical to regular chocolate, making you forget it’s organic. If you plan to melt chocolate and make it yourself on Valentine’s Day, trying a healthy chocolate like this would be a good idea. The editor purchased the 40% for its smoothest taste, but note that the 72% (sea salt) is a perfect sweet and salty combination that keeps people coming back once they try it.

[Gnaw] Squirrel Chocolate from the UK / 5,780 KRW

GNAW is an eco-friendly brand that cares for the planet by coexisting with nature, using renewable energy, and protecting the endangered native red squirrels of the UK. Consider adding this to your gift list with its cute packaging featuring the brand’s mascot, the red squirrel, and its brand philosophy. Above all, it’s great that there are as many as eight options to choose from among the chocolates introduced.

There were various flavors like Black Forest Gateau, Gin and Tonic, and Crunchy Peanut Butter, but the basic chocolate brownie was chosen. The squirrel on top of the brownie is adorable♥ The chocolates with the letters GNAW on them might remind you of Ghana chocolate at first glance, but the taste and texture are completely different, so don’t scroll down too fast and take a closer look. Although you might expect a very soft texture because of the brownie, it actually has a crispy texture as if cookie crumbs are mixed in, which is very appealing.

[Di Barbero] Tablet Chocolate / 6,045 KRW

Originating from Italy, Di Barbero was established in 1883 and has continued its tradition through seven generations, offering a variety of confectioneries. They carefully select cocoa beans by region to create diverse chocolates. The biggest feature is that each option allows you to experience different tastes and aromas of the cocoa beans. Available options include dark chocolate 68% (Madagascar), 70% (Santo Domingo), 72% (Venezuela), salted caramel white chocolate, dark milk chocolate, and unsweetened chocolate.

The chocolates come in Italian-inspired traditional packaging and are sized for easy individual consumption. Among the chocolates tasted today, this is the only product where you can feel the bitterness of cocoa. Even though the dark milk chocolate was chosen to taste a classic chocolate, a slight bitterness is noticeable. It seems like the best choice for those who do not prefer extreme sweetness. The thickness of the chocolate is also substantial, making it the only one that offers the fun of chewing.

[Trituba] Natural Tablet Dark Chocolate / 8,550 KRW

The final star is Trituba’s Natural Tablet Dark Chocolate, made from the highest-grade cocoa beans according to the Ecuador cocoa bean grading chart. From dark 60% to 70%, 85%, and 100%, you can experience different tastes and aromas depending on the cocoa content blend. Also, it uses organic sugar from Paraguay, which is a plus for health-conscious consumers.

Unlike the chocolates introduced above, this one feels the most gift-worthy because the finished chocolates are hand-packaged. You can open the entrance along the dotted line and unfold the packaging like origami, which adds to the excitement. It’s convenient to break off one piece at a time, and the trendy appeal comes from the irregular design rather than repetitive shapes. The 60% cocoa content, the lowest among the options, is delicious and enjoyable for everyone without strong likes or dislikes. Compared to the chocolates tasted earlier, it is the thinnest, offering a crisp texture that’s great for crunching.

“Savoring chocolate is an experience that makes all five senses happy. Close your eyes, stimulate your instincts, and leisurely enjoy its subtlety.”

For alcohol recommendations that pair well with Valentine’s Day, check here!

Photo by Yoon Eun-ae