Edible Art "Valentine Yokohama Chocolate Paradise"

Valentine's Day season has arrived again this year.
Valentine's Day is known all over the world, and how it is celebrated varies from country to country. But do you know when it originated? It is said to date back to the 3rd century. At that time, Roman Emperor Claudius II believed that a major factor in why young men did not go to war was that they did not want to be separated from their families and lovers back home, and he banned marriage. However, the Christian priest Valentine preached the preciousness of love and, contrary to policy, performed weddings for young people. After that, he continued to disobey the Roman Emperor's orders and preach the preciousness of love, which resulted in his execution.
The day of his execution is said to be February 14th, and Valentine's Day is said to have begun when priest Valentine's Day was celebrated as a day to pray for him as "Saint Valentine's Day" in honor of his courageous actions in preaching love. It became more of an event for lovers around the 14th century, but overseas, people not only give chocolates to their lovers, but also cards and gifts to their families and loved ones. Today, Valentine's Day has evolved to suit the different ways of thinking in each country around the world.
Valentine's Day has evolved over time and across regions, but why not reflect on its origins and express your gratitude to your loved ones, friends, and those who have helped you?
It's also nice to look for a special chocolate to treat yourself.

"Valentine's Yokohama Chocolate Paradise" is being held at Sogo Yokohama from Friday, January 21st to Monday, February 14th.
This year, the event will feature a selection of chocolates from around the world across four themes.
1. "Pastry chef x sustainability"
2. Luxury
3. "Limited" Sogo/Seibu limited items, etc.
4. "New Sense" A new and innovative brand that has never been seen before
The roughly 70 brands of chocolates, including new and limited edition items, are lined up in the spacious and relaxed venue; they are colorful, delicate and truly like art.
Here are a few of the many chocolates available.

Hotel Chocolat
Hotel Chocolat, which was founded in London and started by cultivating cocoa farms, is committed to sustainability, supporting the lives of cocoa farmers and using FSC-certified packaging.
Luxurious chocolates made by top chocolatiers are the kind of chocolates that make even those who taste them happy.
*FSC certification: An international organization that certifies properly managed forests and the distribution and processing processes of timber harvested from those forests.

●Strawberry & Cream Macaroons (1 box) 1,600 yen (tax included)

DelReY
DelReY comes from Belgium, known as the home of chocolate.
When you open the diamond-shaped jewelry box, you will see sparkling pink, red, and green diamond-shaped chocolates. The assortment includes three popular varieties from the 2022 Chocolate Collection. In addition to the diamond box we are introducing, there are boxes with different numbers of chocolates available, and our recommendation is the "Marble Diamond Box" sold exclusively at Sogo and Seibu. The limited edition pink and blue marble-colored box with a drawer is so luxurious that you'll probably want one for yourself.

●Blue Pearl Del Rey Diamond BOX of 3 1,944 yen (tax included)

JANICE WONG
Janice Wong is a Singaporean female pastry chef who has been selected as Asia's best pastry chef for two consecutive years. Her concept is edible art, which combines food and art. The colorful, spherical chocolates are so beautiful that you'll want to display them, and you'll be excited to find out what they taste like. This selection, which is only available in Japan, comes in five flavors: creamy coconut, praline pop rock, coffee, yuzu, and salted caramel.
Chocolate stimulates not only your taste buds but also your senses, allowing you to enjoy both deliciousness and beauty.

●Janice Wong Special 5 2,780 yen (tax included)

le Chateau
Le Chateau was born in a city in France known for its rich nature and many castles. Using a unique method that uses a copper kettle, this exquisite product is made by wrapping carefully selected ingredients such as raisins soaked in noble rot wine or champagne, white figs, and coffee beans in dark or milk chocolate.
Le Chateau is imported directly from France only once a year, and is so rare that it sells out immediately every year. There are a wide variety of types and sizes, so it's perfect as a gift for a close friend.

●Le Chateau 50g 999 yen (tax included)
●Le Chateau 25g 594 yen (tax included)

REI CACAO
REI CACAO allows you to fully enjoy the original deliciousness of cacao.
Introducing a lunch box packed with the charm of REI CACAO chocolate, which pursues simplicity by adding as little as possible and using additives that are as natural as possible.
The rice puffs and chocolate bonbons are shaped to resemble rice and pickled plums, and are filled with 11 types of chocolate, including authentic chocolate bonbons and mendiants, making it a must-have for chocolate lovers and a dish that is visually impactful to boot.

● Cacao bento (1 can) 2,700 yen (tax included)

Chocolat BEL AMER (Chocolat BEL AMER Kyoto Annex)
Chocolat Belle Amer Kyoto Annex was born in Kyoto, a city rich in tradition and international flair.
There are a variety of delicate chocolates lined up that have a Japanese feel to them. What particularly caught my eye was "Mizuho no Shizuku," a chocolate shaped like a masu, with Kyoto sake, domestic tea, domestic fruit and honey made into a jelly and poured into it. The one I purchased this time was from a series that combines domestic fruit and honey. The gentle aroma of honey that fills the air the moment you open the box is something you definitely want to experience.

●Mizuho no Shizuku Domestic Fruits and Honey 5 pieces 1,620 yen (tax included)

Merry Chocolate
Mary Chocolate is a long-established company founded in 1950.
The "Popping Candy Chocolate" comes in a package so cute you can't help but pick it up, and is inspired by the colorful drinks lined up in retro coffee shops. The candies pop inside the chocolate, creating a nostalgic texture. There are six flavors: melon cream soda, strawberry soda, cola float, white soda, cider, and lemon squash. Both the appearance and the taste make this chocolate something you'll want to share with someone.

● Popping candy chocolates: 378 yen each (tax included)

"Valentine's Yokohama Chocolate Paradise" is being held at Sogo Yokohama until Monday, February 14th, with entry restrictions and increased venue space to ease congestion.