Valentine’s Day 2024: Gifts for gourmands

Celebrating the season of romance, Armani/Dolci by Guido Gobino has released a fittingly themed chocolate collection. Two limited-run flavours of heart shaped chocolate and praline—milk chocolate with apricot and white chocolate with Sicilian almonds and turmeric— come encased in collectible red tins. Available in four, nine, or 12 pieces, this would make a great gift for chocolate lovers seeking a refined version of their favourite treats. 

For more information, visit www.armanidolci.com.

Perhaps the most notorious Valentine’s Day sweet, Sweethearts are the original heart-shaped candy. Famed for being edible messengers of adorable notes, these were first popularised through schoolyard Valentine’s gifting in the West. The candy brand have recently made a comeback by repurposing its misprinted and sometimes nonsensical Sweethearts as Valentine’s gifts for undefined relationships. 

Find online at www.sweetheartscandies.com.

Being a definitive authority in the world of cocoa, Godiva’s Valentine’s Day selection is comprised of only the most decadent chocolate. Its seasonal release is a testament to romance with heart-shaped chocolate assortments and exclusive gift sets. Godiva’s chocolate makers have also designed limited-edition pieces of crescent moons and shimmering stars. Gift sets from six to 18 pieces will be available from January 29 onwards. 

Available in-store. 

While heart-shaped mugs and crockery may be flying off department store shelves, travel off the beaten path and support local artists this Valentine’s Day. Silo Handmade Ceramics fashions handmade homewares in a home-based studio. Each minimalist creation celebrates the earthiness of natural clay with complementary glazes. Timeless and quietly elegant, these ceramics would look good on any coffee table and complement coffee or tea-making rituals. 

Order on Whatsapp at +6012-309 2106 or find in-store.

See also: Kirthanaa Naidu on the art of tablescaping and how to elevate any dinner party

Okaju has released its elevation of classic chocolate covered strawberries just in time for Valentine’s Day. Juicy strawberries smothered in sweet red bean paste and encased in springy mochi can be pre-ordered now. 

Visit @okaju_ on Instagram for more information. 

The caffeine-dependent celebrate Valentine’s Day, too. If your significant other or loved one requires coffee to function, show them your appreciation with a blend evocative of the season’s defining notes. The Colombia Finca Villarazo Pink Bourbon beans are honey processed— coffee cherries are allowed to dry without washing, resulting in syrupy pulp and a fruitier flavour profile. The blend highlights notes of raspberries, strawberries and grape candy. With honey and red berries being symbolic of love, there’s no coffee more reminiscent of the occasion. 

Visit www.thehuboug.com to find out more. 

Venchi is paying homage to the art of gift-giving this Valentine’s Day. Staying true to the holiday’s essence, the chocolatier has released an assortment of decorative gift boxes and tins stocked with saccharine delights. From heart-shaped dark chocolate to filled bonbons, Venchi’s variety of seasonal chocolate is available now. 

Available in-store. 

Fusing quintessential aspects of the holiday, Jaslyn Cakes’ red velvet cake is Valentine’s Day on a plate. A tangy and light cream cheese frosting balances the decadent and rich crumb of this Bangsar bakery’s iteration. Uplifting classic chocolate into a crimson-tinted spectacle, a red velvet cake would make the perfect showstopper to gift a sweet tooth. It can even be personalised with a custom message.

For more information visit www.jaslyncakes.com or find in-store. 

A purveyor of premium chocolate produced in Hokkaido, Royce has released six gift sets exclusive to the season. Its Bright Red collection consists of an impressive one kilogram of eleven varieties of chocolate. The Japanese chocolatier has also drawn inspiration from cocktails with the inclusion of a strawberry champagne Nama chocolate.

Available in-store. 

If acts of service are the love language of your relationship, get your significant other an intricately designed tiffin carrier for packed lunches. Homegrown and handmade, these carriers are adorned with intricate decoupage. Try packing a lunch for your significant other in one of these carriers to surprise them on Valentine’s morning. 

Find on Instagram at @dionharperdeco.

NOW READ

Inside the Tatler Dining Awards 2024 for the unveiling of the Top 20 Restaurants

Cover story: The Lankan Crabs, Bangsar brings one on a journey through the rich culinary history of Sri Lanka

Dai Jin provides an experience inspired by practices during the Song Dynasty