By DAVID FOX
This Valentine's Day, millions of Americans will give the gift of chocolate candy. The smooth, silky, unmistakable taste of fine chocolate is the perfect way to set the mood and show your love.
However, there are few things worse than receiving bad-tasting chocolates. Giving cheap chocolates on Valentine's is like giving a bouquet of dead flowers. As with any gift, the selection of chocolates given will reflect the taste and sophistication of the giver.
Most college students do not have the time to go out and screen each individual chocolate to ensure their gift is the highest possible quality. The following is a guide to the best chocolates, and the most creative ideas for presenting them on Valentine's Day.
Kara chocolates, located at the University Mall in Orem, produces some of the best chocolates for Valentine's. According to the store manager, Heather Bringhurst, the mint truffle is the most popular holiday candy. The truffle's creamy center is surrounded by a rich milk chocolate.
Truffles are sold in the traditional red box, but Kara's heart-shaped truffles are more creative. Each heart can be customized with a personal message such as 'I love you' or 'You're Mine'.
Kara also offers a sugar-free version of its mint truffle. Sweetened with a carbohydrate known as Mannitol, the sugar-free version is really quite good. Although these candies are not considered a low-fat food, they are the perfect gift for diabetics.
In addition to the mint truffles, Kara offers a wide variety of other chocolate confections. From nuts and chews to gourmet white chocolate popcorn, Kara's wide selection of Valentine's gifts will please any chocolate lover.
Kara chocolates are an excellent value for the money. A pound of truffles or assorted candies costs $12.95 per pound. Gift-wrapped items will cost more.
See's Candy, located in the University mall, makes old-fashioned American chocolates. See's is famous for almond carmel, pecan buds, and bordeaux. Like the candies, See's gift boxes are very traditional. A red, velvet-covered, heart-shaped box of mixed chocolates costs $17. Smaller, more trendy gifts are also available.
For a fun and classy alternative, try one of Sarah's chocolate roses. These delicate creations are hand-crafted in Wellsville, UT. Each rose is neatly packaged in it's own gift box and is available in five different colors. Sarah's roses are available at Goodies Galore, located in the University Mall.
Many chocolate experts consider Swiss chocolate to be the very best. The best-tasting Swiss chocolate available locally is Lindt. The BYU Bookstore offers a Lindt's Lindor truffles in an assortment of gift boxes. The Lindor truffle is sweet, creamy and distinctively Swiss. A gold heart-shaped box of Lindt truffles, accompanied by a single red rose is an elegant Valentine's Day gift.
Chocolates created by San Francisco chocolate designer, Joseph Schmidt, should be reserved for special occasions such as an engagement. Each Schmidt chocolate is a work of art.
For Valentine's Day, Schmidt has created the 'Hearts' collection. Each heart combines a unique filling of Grand Mariner, Amaretto, and cherry flavorings with the world's finest chocolate creams. The filling is encased in a flavorful shell, and exquisitely decorated by Schmidt's chocolate artists.
Because all Schmidt chocolates are decorated by hand, no two are alike. Like any gourmet food, Schmidt chocolates are expensive. A small box containing three 'hearts' costs six dollars, and comes wrapped in an exquisite red and gold box. A gift of Schmidt chocolates is the perfect way to say 'I love you' with style.