Tasty Valentine’s Day chocolate doesn’t have to be expensive

Want to impress your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day?

For the big spender, that can mean selecting a nice piece of jewelry, a large bouquet of flowers or a big box of pricey chocolates. But Feb. 14 will find many making a last-minute dash into a nearby drug store or grocery store to pick up that traditional heart-shaped box of chocolates.

Valentine’s Day is probably why February was designated as Chocolate Month — for the chocoholic, it’s the perfect excuse (as if one is needed) to indulge in fine chocolates and decadent chocolate desserts.

When standing in front of shelves filled with boxes of chocolate confections, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. What to get? Perhaps, a big name brand in a pretty box? The Food staff decided to help out, ranking eight brands of assorted chocolate collections we found at Walmart, CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens and Albertsons.

Since our budget didn’t allow us to sample expensive confections, we stuck to boxes of chocolates selling for less than $10, preferably about $5. The most expensive was a lovely, 12.25-ounce, heart-shaped box of Assorted Gourmet Chocolates by Harry London Quality Chocolates, which regularly sells for $10, but was on sale at Walgreens for $8. Only a few cents less was a 4.3-ounce box of Ghirardelli Chocolate Masterpieces Collection.

If our taste test is any indication, well-known brands don’t guarantee great quality. We found the chocolates ranged from delectable delights to, well, cheap, tasteless candies that will fall way short in making a good impression on your sweetheart.

We asked seven current and former staff members to evaluate the eight brands. Here are the results:

• No. 1 was the Assorted Gourmet Chocolates by Harry London Quality Chocolates, a brand with which none of us was familiar. The tag on the box says “since 1922.” Our judges liked its rich, silky taste and “excellent mouth feel.”
• Second place went to another unknown, at least to our staff, Chocolate Truffles European Collection by Very Special Chocolats Inc., of Azusa, Cal. (We found it at Walmart for $5.) The judges liked the texture and that there was a distinct difference between the filling, which had “just the right degree of smoothness,” and its chocolate coating.
• Third was Hershey’s Pot of Gold Fine Confections Premium Collection, which one judge said of the dark chocolate, “has a nice bitter overtone.” Another liked its “smooth, creamy texture.” A third said it was “very chocolaty” and “a little, maybe, earthy.”
• Fourth went to Russell Stover, which judges thought had a “little stiff texture” and was “chewy.” One judge said it was “sort of waxy, very sweet, almost like powdered sugar” while another found the chocolate unremarkable.
• Tied for fifth were Mrs. Fields Assorted Chocolates and Ghirardelli Chocolate Masterpieces Collection. Of the Mrs. Fields product, one judge said it was oily tasting while another thought it had a mild chocolate flavor and a stiff texture. A third judge liked the caramel filling’s “buttery, complex” taste but found it “a little gritty.”

Of the Ghirardelli chocolates, judges said it was “long lasting in the mouth” with a mild chocolate flavor and a “creamy, smooth texture.”

One judge said it almost melts in the hand and is “nearly greasy on the hand.”

• Seventh was Whitman’s Sampler, which judges found to be dry and grainy with a sugary aftertaste.
• In last place was Elmer Chocolate, which is manufactured by Elmer Candy Corp. in Ponchatoula.

While one judge thought it had a good texture, other judges didn’t like its mouth feel and found the candy waxy, too sweet and with little to no chocolate taste.

Consumer Reports also had some chocolate for Valentine’s Day shopping suggestions. Its top-rated chocolates were quite pricey and most were only available online, so shipping charges also have to be considered. Its report says Hershey’s Pot of Gold Premium, Whitman’s Sampler and Russell Stover Assorted Fine Chocolates and Private Reserve “all had flaws that resulted in no better than a ‘good’ overall rating.”

Another Valentine’s Day chocolate taste test was conducted by TheDailyMeal.com, which ranked 10 brands. It’s top three — Dove, See’s and Godiva — weren’t included in The Advocate’s taste test because they were outside our price range. Its bottom three were Hershey’s, Russell Stover and Elmer Chocolate.

Instead of getting store-bought chocolates, you might want to make a lasting impression by enjoying a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner at home. Here’s a recipe for a cocktail, plus a few other recipes sure to please that special someone:

Cupid’s Kahlúa Kiss

Serves 1. Recipe from Food Network chef Marcela Valladolid and Kahlúa.

2 parts Kahlúa
Ice
4 parts soda water
Maraschino cherry

Pour Kahlúa into a highball glass filled with ice. Add soda water. Top it with a cherry and serve.