How Chocolates Became A Symbol Of Love

Have you ever wondered how the tradition of giving chocolates on Valentine’s Day all began? The thought of chocolate elicits a feeling of love and indulgence.

According to historians, Valentine’s Day is a successor of the ancient Roman feast of Lupercalia dating back to 300BC. Every year between February 13 and February 15, the Romans engaged in celebrations and rituals to honor the coming of spring.

Decades later, Valentine’s Day transformed into a day to celebrate love and give gifts to symbolize emotions that come from the heart. It’s easy to understand why chocolate is the favorite way to express love on the Valentine’s Day. There is an allure to chocolate that in essence is exotically romantic, it’s simply an edible declaration of love that makes the recipients of chocolate feel special and undeniably gratifying.

Perhaps, it might be a marketing strategy of Richard Cadbury of the 19th century that is still hugely successful even to this day and age. In the 1800s, his British family manufactured chocolate and searched for a way to utilize cocoa butter that was extracted during the making of chocolate liquor. Cadbury figured out how to make to chocolate bars that were good in the taste along with being economical. Prior to, chocolate was an expensive luxury reserved for only the elite. Cadbury was able to produce chocolate that was more economical. Then, he created beautiful boxes for chocolates with cupid and roses, which were quite popular in Victorian days and became a symbol of romance. Cadbury was the first one who invented the heart-shaped box of chocolate and changed the Valentine’s Day forever for the generations of lovers.