This Valentine’s Day, wherever you look, chocolate fills the shelves.
Shopping districts are decorated in pink, flower shops display red roses, creating a bright and romantic atmosphere.

For people in Japan, this period is not only a time to express love and care for someone special,
but also a time to show gratitude to those who have offered support and kindness along the way.

Chocolate is an especially suitable gift for this season.
With its wide variety of flavors and forms, and its many health benefits that help relieve stress,
chocolate is also beneficial for heart and blood vessel health.
For this reason, it is considered a thoughtful gift suitable for people of all ages and genders.

The Benefits of Chocolate

Chocolate offers many health benefits, especially dark chocolate, which contains a high percentage of cocoa and lower sugar. It provides greater nutritional value than other types, as outlined below:

• Supports heart and blood vessel health: Helps lower blood pressure, regulate cholesterol levels, prevent blood clots, and reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 37%, according to research published in the British Medical Journal.

• Enhances brain health: Flavonoids and caffeine in chocolate increase blood flow to the brain, improving memory, concentration, and learning ability, and reducing the risk of dementia in older adults.

• Improves mood and reduces stress: Chocolate stimulates the release of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, helping to improve mood and reduce depression and stress. Research shows that consuming 40 grams of dark chocolate daily for two weeks can significantly reduce stress hormone levels.

• Antioxidant and anti-aging effects: Polyphenols and flavonoids help reduce cellular damage caused by free radicals and help prevent chronic diseases such as cancer and type 2 diabetes.

• Benefits skin and digestive health: Flavonoids help protect the skin from UV damage, reduce inflammation, and support gut health through the prebiotics naturally found in chocolate.

• Boosts immunity and supports blood sugar control: Minerals such as iron, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins in chocolate help strengthen the immune system and improve insulin sensitivity, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

With these many benefits, chocolate is an ideal gift for working adults who feel fatigued, as well as for older adults who wish to take care of their health.

The bittersweet taste of dark chocolate is a gift that truly reflects care for the recipient’s well-being.
However, if you or the recipient are not fond of the bitterness of cocoa, sweeter chocolate varieties or cocoa drinks remain good alternatives, as long as sugar intake and portion sizes are properly managed.

Large Chocolate Sets: A Culture of Sharing in Japanese Society

Japanese chocolate is distinctive in its focus on health and sharing.
It features moderate sweetness that is not overpowering, a wide variety of dark chocolate options, and packaging that divides chocolate into small pieces.

This makes it ideal for sharing among friends, as well as for enjoying as bite-sized snacks that are easy to portion.

Most importantly, these chocolates are easy to enjoy with someone special, thanks to their small, bite-sized portions and varied flavors that never grow tiresome.
During the Valentine’s Day season, when shops are offering promotions everywhere, it is a perfect time to buy a variety of chocolates as a reward for yourself or to share smiles with those around you.

We recommend popular Japanese-style chocolates that are suitable for snacking, sharing, or using as ingredients in special Valentine’s Day desserts.

For Moments of Happiness

Meiji Chocolate Macadamia / Almond
Meiji chocolate is not overly sweet and is filled with large nuts, offering a rich and satisfying crunch.
The bite-sized pieces are perfect for sharing, and both almonds and macadamia nuts contain nutrients essential for brain function, such as vitamins B1, B2, B3, and magnesium, which support the nervous system and cognitive performance.

Meiji Meltykiss
Soft chocolate coated with cocoa powder, inspired by soft winter snow.
The ganache inside melts smoothly in the mouth when chilled. Available in various flavors such as dark chocolate, strawberry, and matcha green tea.
Meiji Meltykiss is widely available and affordably priced.
For maximum enjoyment, we recommend storing it at temperatures below 23°C.

Alfort Chocolate
Sailboat-shaped chocolate placed on large square cookies, offering a satisfying bite.
The cookies have a distinctive whole-grain aroma, making Alfort Chocolate a popular souvenir among international visitors and a snack enjoyed by people of all ages during moments of relaxation.

For Baking and Mature Flavors

Morinaga DARS Chocolate
Founded in 1910, Morinaga has long been loved in Japan.
DARS chocolate has a firm texture that holds its shape, melts smoothly in the mouth, and is suitable for both eating on its own and baking.
Available in various flavors including dark, milk, white chocolate, matcha, and strawberry, with assorted packs perfect for sharing.

Meiji Dark Chocolate
A chocolate designed for adults, offering selectable levels of bitterness in bite-sized pieces.
Meiji Dark Chocolate is ideal as a gift for those seeking chocolate’s health benefits.
For those who enjoy a rich, bitter taste during moments of rest, this is highly recommended.
Available in three varieties: Black Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, and Hi Milk.

Lotte Ghana Chocolate
A globally beloved brand, Lotte proudly presents large chocolate bars with a rich, full-bodied flavor.
Ideal for baking or enjoying in generous bites, offering smooth sweetness and depth.
Available in Milk Chocolate and Black Chocolate to suit individual taste preferences.

Easy Handmade Treats That Delight the Recipient

Soft Cookies

Part 1

• Unsalted butter 115 g

• Brown sugar 100 g

• Granulated sugar 50 g

• 1 egg

Part 2

• All-purpose flour 190 g

• Baking powder 1/2 teaspoon

• A pinch of salt

Chocolate of your choice

Instructions

1. Leave the butter at room temperature until softened, then beat until fluffy.

2. Add granulated sugar and brown sugar, mixing until creamy.

3. Add the egg and mix well.

4. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt, then gently fold into the mixture.

5. Chop the chocolate into small pieces and mix in as desired.

6. Portion the cookie dough evenly, lightly shape, and refrigerate for at least one night.

7. Bake at 180°C for 15 minutes (depending on cookie size).

8. Let the cookies rest on the tray for about 5 minutes before serving.

Finally, whether this Valentine’s Day is a time of love, gratitude, or friendship,
we hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day, and sincerely thank you for trusting us to be part of your warm and meaningful moments.