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 it is celebrated differently in each country. But do you know when it originated? It seems to go back as far as the 3rd century. At that time, Roman Emperor Claudius II believed that a major reason why young men did not go to war was their desire not to be separated from their families and lovers back home, so he prohibited marriage. However, Valentine, a Christian priest, preached the importance of love and defied the policy by performing wedding ceremonies for young people. He continued to disobey the Roman emperor's orders and preach the importance of love, and was eventually executed.
It is said that the day of his execution was February 14th, and Valentine's Day began as a day of prayer to commemorate the courageous act of Father Valentine who preached love, and was designated as "Saint Valentine's Day." While the event became strongly associated with lovers around the 14th century, in other countries, people give not only chocolate but also cards and gifts to family and loved ones. Today, Valentine's Day is evolving in each country to suit the individual beliefs of the world.
Valentine's Day evolves with the times and regions, but why not take some time to reflect on its origins and express your gratitude to your loved ones, friends, or those who have helped you?
Also, it's a great idea to find a special chocolate as a reward for yourself.

"Valentine Yokohama Chocolate Paradise" is being held at Sogo Yokohama from January 21st (Friday) to February 14th (Monday).
This year, we have gathered a selection of the finest chocolates from around the world, all centered around four different themes.
1. "Pastry Chef x Sustainability"
2. "Luxury"
3. "Limited" items, such as Sogo and Seibu exclusive products.
4. "New Sense": A fresh and innovative brand making its debut.
The spacious venue is filled with chocolates from approximately 70 brands, including new and limited-edition items, all vibrantly colored, delicately crafted, and truly resembling works of art.
Here are a few examples from the many chocolates available.

Hotel Chocolat
Founded in London and starting with cultivating cocoa farms, Hotel Chocolat is committed to sustainability. They support the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and use FSC-certified packaging.
These luxurious chocolates from top chocolatiers are the kind that can bring happiness not only to the person who tastes them, but to everyone involved.
*FSC certification: An international organization that certifies properly managed forests and the distribution and processing processes of timber harvested from those forests.

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

DelReY
From Belgium, known as the home of chocolate, comes DelReY.
Opening the diamond-shaped jewelry box reveals 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 shown here, there are other boxes with different numbers of chocolates available, and we recommend the "Marble Diamond Box," exclusively sold at Sogo and Seibu department stores. This limited-edition box with a drawer in pink and blue marble colors has a luxurious feel that will make you want one for yourself.

●Blue Pearl Delray Diamond Box (3 pieces) ¥1,944 (tax included)

JANICE WONG
Janice Wong, a pastry chef from Singapore who has been named Asia's Best Pastry Chef for two consecutive years, creates edible art, a fusion of food and art. Her colorful spherical chocolates are so beautiful you'll want to display them, and you'll be excited to find out what they taste like. This Japan-exclusive selection comes in five flavors: creamy coconut, praline pop rock, coffee, yuzu, and salted caramel.
This chocolate stimulates not only your sense of taste but also your perception, allowing you to enjoy both its deliciousness and beauty.

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

le Chateau
Le Chateau, born in a town known for its rich French nature and numerous castles, uses a unique method with copper kettles to create exquisite chocolates that encase carefully selected ingredients such as raisins soaked in noble rot wine or champagne, white figs, and coffee beans in dark or milk chocolate.
Le Château, which is imported directly from France only once a year, is so rare that it sells out immediately every year. With a wide variety of types and sizes available, 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 lets you fully enjoy the authentic taste of cacao.
REI CACAO's bento box, which embodies the charm of their chocolate—made with as few additives as possible and using naturally derived ingredients whenever possible—has arrived.
The rice puffs and bonbon chocolates are designed to resemble rice and pickled plums, and the box is filled with 11 kinds of chocolates, including authentic bonbon chocolates and mendiants. It's a must-try for chocolate lovers, and its visual impact is second to none.

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

Chocolat BEL AMER (Chocolat Bel Amer Kyoto Annex)
Chocolat Bel Amer Kyoto Annex was born in Kyoto, a city rich in tradition and international character.
A variety of delicate chocolates that evoke a sense of Japan are on display. What particularly caught my eye was "Mizuho no Shizuku," a chocolate shaped like a masu (wooden sake cup) filled with a jelly made from Kyoto sake, domestic tea, domestic fruit, and honey. The one I purchased this time was from a series combining domestic fruit and domestic honey. It's a product that you should definitely experience, especially the gentle aroma of honey that wafts out the moment you open the box.

●Mizuho no Shizuku (Japanese Fruit and Honey) - 5 pieces - ¥1,620 (tax included)

Mary Chocolate
Mary Chocolate is a long-established company founded in 1950.
The "Popping Candy Chocolate," with its irresistibly cute packaging, is inspired by the colorful drinks lined up in retro coffee shops. The candy pops inside the chocolate, creating a nostalgic texture. There are six flavors: melon cream soda, strawberry soda, cola float, white soda, cider, and lemon squash. With its appearance and taste, it's a chocolate you'll want to share with someone.

● Popping Candy Chocolates: 378 yen each (tax included)

"Valentine Yokohama Chocolate Paradise," which is being held with measures in place to alleviate congestion, such as limiting the number of people allowed in the venue and expanding the venue space, is being held at Sogo Yokohama until Monday, February 14th.