A Canadian chocolate lover's guide
Our pick of the most delicious venues this Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day and chocolate go together like, well, Valentine's Day and chocolate. And children and chocolate is a match made in heaven, too.
To mark Valentine's Day and Family Day (February 15 – in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan) Cheapflights.ca has selected its top chocolate events around Canada and some suggested stops on the international chocolate trail.
New Brunswick
St. Stephen registered itself as "Canada's chocolate town" in 2000, such is its devotion to the treat. Ganong Chocolates have been going strong since 1873; its museum since 1999. Through interactive exhibitions, demonstrations, displays and games, children will learn about the history of chocolate.
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Quebec
Choco-Musée Érico at 634, rue Saint-Jean, Quebec. This fascinating museum features exhibits from Mayan times to today, from Mexico, around Europe and the Caribbean Islands. While you are enjoying the exhibits, take a peek into the kitchen where the artisans are creating delicious chocolates. The museum is free and open between 10am and 5:30pm most days, longer on Thursdays and Fridays.
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Miss Chocolat on Promenade du Portage in Gatineau has been making fine chocolates since 1989. Passion and creativity are the extra ingredients in her truffles, candied chocolates and glistening, dark, heart-shaped chocolate boxes. She runs interactive workshops for kids aged five and up. On the curriculum? The history of chocolate and fun, tasting games. The cost is $12.50 plus taxes.
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Ontario
Chocolate Tour of Yorktown, Toronto takes chocolate lovers around the best chocolate shops and food suppliers in Yorkville. The cost is $20 per person and tours take place on Saturdays at 3pm. The walking will help to offset the free samples you'll receive along the way.
SoMa, in the Distillery District, Toronto, is an owner-run, micro-chocolate company, where the most popular chocolates are balsamic-vinegar truffle and Spanish olive oil truffle. The hot chocolate is "Mayan" – extremely good.
MoRoCo, on Yorkville Avenue, Toronto offers jewel-like, heart-shaped macaroons from the boutique, heart plates and chocolate tea cups! The afternoon tea is what Alice might have had if Willy Wonka's chocolate factory was in Wonderland.
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Alberta
A high-end treat. Monday nights at The Rimrock at The Fairmont Palliser in Calgary end in Death by Chocolate, the cake that is. Creamy, dreamy chocolate, chocolate cheesecake, chocolate pizza and chocolate pate are all on the menu for $28 per person.
Bernard Callebaut, the master craftsman of Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut, grew up in Belgium using his family's chocolate factory as playground and school. The shop, on 1313 1st Street SE, Calgary, offers self-guided and guided tours Monday through Friday (mornings and from 2pm-3pm). The tours are free and, afterwards, participants are welcome to visit the store for some melt-in-the-mouth samples.
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British Columbia
Cocoa West on beautiful Bowen Island, just a 25-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, makes traditional French and Belgian-style chocolates. It also has a "Bed and Chocolate" accommodation package in Artisan Square that can sleep three, just minutes from hiking trails, the beach and Bowen Island's other eateries. The organic truffles and hot chocolate are complimentary.
The Sutton Place Hotel boasts Vancouver's only all-you-can-eat chocolate buffet. For $26 per adult or $13 per child (up to 12 years), you can enjoy as many cakes, pastries, pies, sorbets, ice creams and Brittany crêpes as you possibly can Thursday through Saturday.
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And further afield...
Belgium
When a chocolate lover sees the words "Belgian" and "chocolates" they know they've hit on the good stuff. Belgium has chocolate museums, factories and festivals but the best of these is the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate in Brussels where a master chocolatier gives daily demonstrations of how to make pralines.
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Guatemala
The hot chocolate served in Guatemala today might be different to what the Mayans enjoyed. We like it sweeter these days, but the ingredients remain high quality. So seriously do Guatemalans take the drink that the Culture Ministry has designated it "national patrimony."
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Lebanon
Patchi in downtown Beirut sells mouth-wateringly delicious chocolates, but you may not want to unwrap them, so beautiful is the packaging. The luxury chocolates are enveloped in shiny paper, ribbons and jewels (including Swarovski crystals). Cocoa butter, rather than vegetable oils, is what sets these treats apart.
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New Zealand
In Cadbury World, Dunedin, visitors can enjoy themed displays, tasty samples and view a unique chocolate falls, five stories high.
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