February 14th is Valentine’s Day. In some countries, people might send flowers to their partners or express gratitude from men to women in various ways. In Japan, women traditionally give chocolates, but are your gift chocolates already decided?
In this article, we introduce charming ‘horse-themed’ chocolates that are perfect not only as genuine gifts for horse lovers but also as cute friend chocolates at riding clubs!
Lycka Till Mini Chocolate Assortment by Rikkatul
Introducing the charming ‘Lycka Till’ series from Morozoff, created in collaboration with the Norwegian design unit Dahlina Clementine. The pack contains several kinds of small chocolates, and the phrase ‘Lycka Till’ means ‘Wishing you good luck’ in Swedish. The packaging features a beautiful wooden horse, called a ‘Dala horse,’ which originates from Dalarna, Sweden. Once enjoyed, the tins make lovely keepsakes for horse lovers.
Antoine Careme’s Horseshoe-Shaped Chocolate
This unique chocolate from the French pastry shop Antoine Careme located in Meguro Ward resembles a real horseshoe, measuring 10×9cm. Its surface is delicately gilded in gold powder for added elegance. Inside, it contains a hazelnut gianduja, offering a rich aroma. Since horseshoes are considered symbols of good luck in Europe, this makes an excellent gift for Valentine’s Day or other milestones.
Its inspiration comes from the nearby horse racing track that was once in Meguro, Tokyo, known as the Meguro Racecourse, which hosted Japan’s first Derby in 1933 before relocating to Fuchu City. Interestingly, the first Derby took place at this very racecourse.
Wittamer’s Vanilla Ré and Vanilla Fondant
Belgium, renowned as the birthplace of fine chocolates, is represented here with Wittamer, a confectionery founded in Brussels. From their line-up, we highlight the ‘Chocolat de Wittamer,’ featuring five varieties. Among them, two include horse motifs, subtly appealing to horse lovers. The flavors use various liquors, making them ideal gifts for those who appreciate fine alcohol.
Vanilla Ré features a ganache of white and milk chocolates, while Vanilla Fondant contains a ganache of sweet and milk chocolates. Both contain orange liqueur, with the Vanilla Ré flavored with a refreshing and sweet Cointreau, and the Vanilla Fondant with Grand Marnier, conveying a refined bittersweet flavor suitable for adults.
Royce’ Roy’s Poppin’ Chocolate
The final featured chocolates are Royce’s poppin’ chocolates from Hokkaido. Royce was founded with the idea of creating chocolates that could rival international standards right in Hokkaido. Their products include various ingredients, each unique and intriguing.
The poppin’ chocolates showcase a horse carrying a carrot, which is both humorous and adorable. While visually colorful and child-friendly, they are made with Royce’s trusted quality, perfect for sharing with riding friends or giving as a subtle, thoughtful gift.
Summary
We’ve introduced four distinct chocolates, each with its own charm. As you browse, you may find yourself tempted to taste them all. For horse enthusiasts, giving a ‘horse-themed’ chocolate gift as an expression of gratitude or love on Valentine’s Day can be a delightful surprise. Why not make this Valentine’s Day extra special with a horse-themed chocolate present?