Make your own chocolates as a Valentine's Day gift for your significant other.

Chocolate has been a divine gift since ancient times.

Before becoming widely known in Europe, chocolate was considered a food reserved for the nobility and was known as "the food of the gods." Originating from Mexico, South America, the nobility in some places like Arabia used chocolate as a sexual aid because it contains compounds that increase arousal and libido.

It's not just on modern-day Valentine's Day that people give each other attractive chocolate gifts; for a long time, chocolate has been a gift for important occasions. This trend originated in some Aztec settlements and gradually became a special tradition. The people there believed that chocolate had a close connection with the gods and that only the nobility were allowed to enjoy this "sacred" food.

Chocolate was once considered a sacred and expensive "food of the gods," something ordinary people rarely had access to, only the nobility could even glimpse it. Gradually, it became a common, popular, and accessible food. This journey of sweetness seems to have brought chocolate closer to everyone, and the confectionery industry and marketing campaigns have transformed it into a familiar gift for holidays, especially Valentine's Day. It's believed there are two main reasons couples give each other chocolate: firstly, the excitement it brings strengthens their relationship; and secondly, the emotional significance of love, warmth, and trust. Nowadays, giving chocolate seems to carry even more spiritual meaning, and it has gradually become a symbol of Valentine's Day.

Make chocolates as a gift for your significant other.

In the early days of chocolate, it was consumed entirely as a drink. No one had any intention of turning it into the solid candy bars we see today. And the sweet journey of chocolate officially began when Joseph Storrs Fry gave it a new look in 1795. The Dutch scientist's invention of a steam engine for separating cocoa beans and its application to cocoa beans transformed this "divine" beverage into charming, checkered chocolate bars.

We usually give chocolate to our loved ones in the form of pre-packaged candies, but very few people give each other chocolate in drinkable form. However, regardless of the form, their meaning is incredibly special. Let Travellive help you make two unique chocolate gifts for your significant other.

Chocolate ball

You need:

240g dark chocolate bar

75g Small Marshmallows

100g Chocolate Powder

52g White Chocolate

180ml Unsweetened Fresh Milk

Round silicone mold

Heat a pot of water until it boils vigorously. Place all the dark chocolate in a glass bowl the same diameter as the pot, then place the bowl over the boiling water and stir until the chocolate melts. Once the chocolate has just melted, reduce the heat and continue stirring until it is completely melted. Turn off the heat, pour a thin layer of the warm chocolate into a round silicone mold, and let it cool completely.

Remove each piece of chocolate from the round mold; it will form a half-sphere. Scoop some chocolate batter into each half-sphere, then place a few marshmallows inside. Next, prepare a pan. Heat it up and hold another half-sphere upside down in the pan; the chocolate in contact with the pan will melt. Quickly stick this hollow half-sphere onto the filled sphere. Repeat this process until all the spheres are filled.

Quickly place the chocolates in the refrigerator to let them set. Set a timer for about an hour, then return the pot of water to a boil again. Take another bowl and melt the white chocolate. This white chocolate will be used for decorating. Pour it into a piping bag, cut the tip, and draw letters, numbers, or shapes of your choice onto each sphere. Note that the white chocolate must be warm enough to be used for drawing on the spheres.

You can also sprinkle anything on the chocolate sphere while it's still slightly melted and not completely solidified. This could include sprinkles, candy crumbs, or even gold leaf.

When you want to eat them, heat fresh milk to 70°C, pour it into a cup, and drop in the chocolate balls. They will "explode," filling your kitchen with a wonderful aroma. This treat can be kept for 7-8 days in the refrigerator or at room temperature below 24°C.

Chocolate-covered strawberries

You need:

280g strawberries

320g dark chocolate

175g white chocolate

Rice flakes, crushed candy pieces, roasted sliced ​​almonds, shredded coconut, dried coconut, crushed nut pieces.

Similar to the chocolate balls, you'll need to melt dark and white chocolate. Wash the strawberries, remove the stems, and let them dry completely. Using tongs, dip whole strawberries into the melted dark chocolate, lift them up, gently shake off excess chocolate, and quickly place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Dip the whole strawberries in chocolate if you want them to last longer; dipping only half of the strawberries won't keep well and will require refrigeration.

Now, let the strawberries rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes, then return to melting the white chocolate. This melted chocolate is usually used to decorate the strawberries. While the white chocolate is still warm, quickly sprinkle chopped nuts or almonds, depending on your preference, onto the strawberries and let them cool. Store this "gift" in the refrigerator and use it within 3-5 days.

Hopefully, with these two fun and unique chocolate gift ideas, couples will have the opportunity to showcase their cooking skills and give each other handmade gifts filled with love.

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Ha Chu