by Maria Mantini ’26 on February 12, 2026
Opinion - Entertainment & Society
What is the true meaning of Valentine’s Day? Depending on your relationship status, your answer will probably be something along the lines of romance or capitalism. However, what is the commonality between both of those responses? Chocolate!
Starting in mid-January, you can’t walk into any CVS without seeing shelves decked out in red and pink. There is box after red heart-shaped box of Valentine’s Day chocolate, benefiting both love and profit margins. Some have big bows on the front while others have little stuffed animals attached, but whether you are buying the chocolates for your significant other or to show yourself a little self-love, skip the displays in the front of the store.
The truth is, when it comes to chocolate, quality matters. We’ve all felt the disappointment of biting into a piece of chocolate that tastes like straight sugar with a dash of cacao. Just as you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, do not judge chocolates by their box. Some chocolate manufacturers are using glitter and pictures of Snoopy to distract you from the fact that their product only vaguely resembles the taste of chocolate.
If you want a quality treat to enjoy, I suggest walking a little deeper into the store. Brands like Lindt and Ghirardelli are famous for a reason. Their boxes may not have any cartoon characters or bonus gifts attached, but why should they? Their products speak for themselves.
I can guarantee your valentine will be far more won over by a high-quality piece of chocolate than one that tastes like a sugar packet with a mini teddy bear taped to the front. Not to mention, better brands usually have assortments of chocolates with different fillings, creating a better flavor experience and further proving to your valentine that you know them.
So, this Valentine’s Day, when you go looking for the right gift to win over your Development of Western Civilization crush or to snack on while watching terrible rom-coms, skip over the boxes with Hello Kitty’s face on them and go straight for the Godiva!