For Valentine's Day, these Bay Area chocolate shops offer romance in a box

"This year, the American public is expected to blow $29 billion on Valentine's Day, according to the National Retail Federation. That's $1.5 billion more in consumer spending than 2025 - somehow, against all odds, the country is in the mood for lovin'. Some of that money will go toward flowers, spa treatments and classy dinners, some no doubt toward lingerie and boxers. And a lot will go toward chocolate. After the winter holidays, Valentine's is the busiest time of year for most chocolate shops."

"In the diverse Bay Area, chocolatiers are busy making an incredible range of treats. There are Mexican bonbons in flavors of tropical fruit and tequila, chocolate-dipped strawberries in heart-shaped boxes, French-Japanese chocolates inspired by origami. And nudge, nudge: Many places offer shipping right up to the week before V-Day. Here are how three local chocolatiers are preparing for the holiday. Drop by them or other shops to grab something for your honey on Feb. 14."

"Deux Cranes is a chocolate shop inspired by Japan and France and, much like the train systems of each country, it is positively buzzing right now. "We have been preparing since November" for Valentine's Day, says owner Michiko Marron-Kibbey. Having grown up in Japan and the U.S., Marron-Kibbey later trained in pastry at the acclaimed culinary-arts school Ferrandi in Paris. She worked at a Franco-Japanese pastry and chocolate shop in the 7th Arrondissement before opening her own similar business a few years ago in Los Gatos."

Americans are expected to spend $29 billion on Valentine's Day this year, $1.5 billion more than 2025, according to the National Retail Federation. Valentine's follows the winter holidays as the busiest season for chocolate shops. Bay Area chocolatiers are producing diverse confections, including Mexican bonbons flavored with tropical fruit and tequila, chocolate-dipped strawberries in heart-shaped boxes, and French-Japanese pieces inspired by origami. Many shops offer shipping through the week before Valentine's Day. Deux Cranes in Los Gatos blends Japanese and French influences, melting and tempering Valrhona and Republica de Cacao locally and incorporating lesser-known Japanese ingredients.

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