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Feature: Buzzworthy Chocolates for Valentine's Day

Beauty

November 21, 2014

Feature: Buzzworthy Chocolates for Valentine's Day

Feature: Exquisite Chocolates to Delight Adults, Part 2

News-Worthy Chocolates for Valentine's Day

This is the season when not only sweets enthusiasts but also followers of popular chocolatiers and pâtissiers eagerly anticipate developments. What new ingredients have renowned chocolatiers challenged for Valentine's Day? What limited editions are being released to celebrate an anniversary in Japan? Or perhaps, which noteworthy chocolatiers are making their debut in Japan? This year, why not gift a "news-worthy" chocolate that will deliver a truly delicious and delightful surprise to your special someone?

Text by MONZEN Naoko

Isetan Shinjuku

ISETAN SHINJUKU | Isetan Shinjuku

The dream festival returns this year!
Salon du Chocolat: A World of Chocolate

Jean-Paul Hevin

JEAN-PAUL HEVIN | Jean-Paul Hevin

Chocolates That Ignite the Heart
Jean-Paul Hevin, a renowned chocolatier, celebrates 10 years in Japan. This anniversary season's theme is "Playing with Fire." Hevin's signature playfulness is evident in designs like a match igniting a heart. The tablet chocolate, inspired by a candle he personally sketched for Japan, is a perfect gift for the playfully inclined gentleman.

Pierre Hermé Paris

PIERRE HERME PARIS | Pierre Hermé Paris

Smoky Chocolates from a Master
Dubbed the "Picasso of the pastry world," Pierre Hermé continuously creates artistic sweets that fuse traditional techniques with innovative ideas. His Valentine's collection features new creations that tantalize not only the eyes and palate but also the sense of smell. The smoky bonbon chocolat, in particular, is sure to impress even the most discerning gourmand.

Pour Toujours

PIERRE HERME PARIS | Pierre Hermé Paris

A New Kind of Chocolatier in Omotesando
Pour Toujours, a novel chocolatier, opened last October just a three-minute walk from Omotesando Station. It's a collaboration between the owner-chef of the popular patisserie Le Pommier and a world-renowned designer active in Tokyo, Paris, and Shanghai. We recommend starting with the seven types of bonbon chocolat, each themed around a different day of the week.

Patissier eS KOYAMA

PATISSIER eS KOYAMA | Patissier eS KOYAMA

Japanese Chocolatier's Vision of "Wa"
Chef Susumu Koyama achieved a historic first for a Japanese chocolatier, winning the "Best Chocolatier Award" in the foreign category and the "5 Tablets" honor for two consecutive years at the Salon du Chocolat in Paris in 2011 and 2012. His new bonbon chocolat creations, exploring the allure of Japanese flavors, are garnering international attention.

Ginza Mitsukoshi

GINZA MITSUKOSHI | Ginza Mitsukoshi

A Master and a Rising Star: Two Chocolatiers Debut
This year, Ginza Mitsukoshi's Valentine's event embraces the theme of "Fusion." Amidst a collection of chocolatiers ranging from established names to cutting-edge artisans, two Belgian chocolatiers making their Japanese debut are particularly noteworthy. Welcome to a new world of chocolate crafted by these two figures, one hailed as a "master" and the other a "rising star."

Pierre Marcolini

PIERRE MARCOLINI | Pierre Marcolini

Chocolate for the Discerning Adult
The finest cacao and exquisite spirits... a popular chocolatier has created luxurious chocolates for adults. New creations featuring single malts and rums, personally selected by Pierre Marcolini, are now available. Gift a sophisticated chocolate with depth and a lingering finish to the discerning gentleman.

Patisserie Sadaharu AOKI Paris

patisserie Sadaharu AOKI paris | Patisserie Sadaharu AOKI Paris

Japanese and Western Chocolates from Paris
Sadaharu Aoki, a pâtissier based in Paris, has twice received the highest honor, "5 Tablets," at the prestigious French chocolate competition "C.C.C." His chocolates, utilizing both Japanese and Western ingredients, including the award-winning ganache framboise, are now available via direct import from Paris.

Joel Durand

Joel Durand | Joel Durand

The Flavors of Southern France Captured in Hearts
At his boutique in Provence, Joel Durand crafts chocolates that capture the essence of the region. His signature creations are 26 types of bonbon chocolat, each with a distinct flavor, labeled A to Z. This year, a new addition to these bonbons makes its debut after three years! A heart-shaped chocolate featuring yellow peaches from Provence will be available as a limited edition.

HIRSINGER | Hirsinger

A "Jura Set" to Celebrate One Year in Japan
Hirsinger, a long-established chocolatier in the Jura region of France, bordering Switzerland, has been cherished for over a century and across four generations. One year has passed since its first overseas boutique opened in Ginza, Tokyo. To commemorate this anniversary, a set featuring a pen crafted by Jura artisans and limited-edition winter chocolates will be offered.