IT’S TIME FOR INCREDIBLE CHOCOLATE LOVE NOW

It is time for love, it is time for chocolate. In case you are in need of any last minute shopping, we’ve got some over-the-top gorgeous chocolates that will send your sweetheart over the edge!

PENINSULA VALENTINES ARTISANAL CHOCOLATES

The Peninsula Hong Kong is a pretty romantic place. So, it makes sense that they would get it right for Valentines Day. Starting with their legendary Chocolate Room.

They have recently launched a new collection of limited-edition, “haute couture” artisanal chocolates. Hand-crafted by resident Maître Chocolatier Marijn Coertjens and team, these heart-shaped sweets are like precious gemstones. In fact, their 12 flavors are named as such -- one for each month of a love-filled year!

These chocolates put on quite a show. They are presented in a veritable jewelry box and Peninsula pageboy (on 13 or 14 February 2015 only).

CHRISTOPHER ELBOW

Party chef Christopher Elbow worked his way up through the culinary world by helping celebrity chefs, like Emeril Lagasse, open up new landmark restaurants. But then, he caught the “chocolate bug.” And the rest is sweet history.

Elbow Chocolates now produces some of the most magical chocolates we’ve experienced in his charming chocolate factory in Kansas City. They are sold at the adjacent store, as well as select shops across the US. Recently, he’s added an ice cream store, called Glace, to the mix.

Check out Christopher Elbow’s latest Valentine Heart collection. Each heart-shaped bon bon is beautifully painted. With intensely passionate flavors like Raspberry Caramel, Passion Fruit, Fleur de Sel Caramel, Red Wine Caramel, Orange Spice Caramel, Vanilla Bean Caramel, PB&J, Lavender Caramel, Tequila Lime, and Hazelnut Praline -- you should just go ahead and buy 2 boxes, so you can each taste your way to bliss.

MARIEBELLE

Maribel Lieberman fell in love with chocolate and discovered even more about her roots.

Born in Honduras, Maribel grew interested both in sweets and fashion. She came to New York to study fashion design at Parson School of Design.

Maribel opened several eclectic chocolate boutiques before opening her crown jewel, MarieBelle, in Soho.

MarieBelle developed a magnificent line of chocolates that offer mini works of chocolate art, with each piece featuring a vignette hand-drawn in chocolate.

MarieBelle chocolates are made with the extremely rare single origin Criollo bean, which has a flavor profile that yields distinctive complex tastes of caramel, nuts, vanilla and tobacco.

They source local ingredients such as fresh berries and fruits, as well as from more exotic places. You will enjoy tastes of European butter, English lavender, Tahitian vanilla, Japanese matcha tea and Puerto Rican rum in their sumptuous ganache.

Maribel lives in Soho, New York, with her husband, artist Jacques Lieberman and their daughter.

LILLIE BELLE FARMS

Lillie Belle Farms makes artisanal chocolates using old-world European techniques and new American twists. Based in Oregon, started on a berry farm, this chocolatier won our hearts.

Their chocolate is all organic, from their single origin bars, to their wildly flavored caramels and truffles. And each taste is beautifully deep.

Check out Lillie Belle Farms’ handmade Cayenne Caramels and Oregon Blue Cheese Truffles if you and your sweetie are ready to push the envelop together.

Lillie Belle Farms has been chosen as one of America's Top 10 Chocolatiers.

ORIOL BALAGUER

Oriol Balaguer grew up in Calafell (Tarragona), watching his father at work in the bakery while he played alongside him with Plasticine, imitating the shapes of his cakes and pastries. It began his trajectory as one of the world’s top pastry chefs.

He grew that sweet love into a line of exceptionally chic chocolates.

Check out Balaguer’s truffle collection, featuring small and elegant portions with cocoa bean shape with 30 different tastes.

And your true love is sure to love Oriol Balaguer -- little chocolate tubes, filled with Passion Fruit, Orange, Yuzu, Raspberry, Star Anise, or Hazelnut flavored ganache. Bite into heaven!

Read more about Beautiful Couples, as it relates to Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact including 10 beautiful Couples Books Now, 10 Beautiful Animal Couples Now & Forever, Crazy Beautiful Sweets for Your Sweetie Now and The Incredible Artistry of Couples Now.

Enter your own images and ideas about Beautiful Couples in this week’s creative Photo Competition. Open for entries now until 11:59 p.m. PT on 02.15.15. If you are reading this after that date, check out the current BN Creative Competition, and enter!

IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: The Peninsula Hotels. Peninsula Artisan Chocolates.
2. Image: Courtesy of The Peninsula Hotels. Peninsula Artisan Chocolates.
3. Image: Courtesy of Elbow Chocolates. Elbow Chocolates.  
4. Image: Courtesy of Elbow Chocolates. Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates.
5. Image: Courtesy of MarieBelle. Custom Chocolate Gift Box.
6. Image: Courtesy of MarieBelle. MarieBelle New York.
7. Image: Courtesy of MarieBelle. MarieBelle Chocolates.
8. Image: Courtesy of MarieBelle. MarieBelle Chocolate.
9. Image: Courtesy of  MarieBelle. MarieBelle Gourmet Apple 4-Pack Gift Set.
10. Image: Courtesy of Lillie Belle Farms. Specialty Chocolates.
11. Image:Courtesy of Lillie Belle Farms. Lillie Belle Farms Lime Truffles.
12. Image: Courtesy of  Lillie Belle Farms. Lillie Belle Farms, Blue Cheese and Chocolate.
13. Image: Courtesy of Oriol Balaguer. Oriol Balaguer Chocolate Tubes.  
14. Image: Courtesy of Oriol Balaguer. Oriol Balaguer Collection 12.