Chouquette Chocolates has unveiled two patent-pending chocolate puzzles meant to celebrate love in all of its forms, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Pronounced "shoo-ket," the small-batch, hand-crafted sweets purveyor in Maryland has brought its new puzzle designs to market using Fair Trade and Rain Forest Alliance-certified chocolate, which is free of gluten, soy, GMOs and corn syrup. The cocoa butter colorants are derived from all natural sources.
Chouquette owner Sarah Dwyer said that Valentine’s Day has gained traction beyond what was once a commercial toss-away holiday. To appeal to this larger audience, Dwyer created the chocolate puzzles, with the idea that the recipient can enjoy both solving the puzzle and eating the pieces.
"Yes, there are still lots of engagements that take place around Valentine's Day, but we're seeing a huge uptick in sales of chocolates to celebrate friendship, or 'Galentine's Day' (made popular by "Parks and Recreation"),” Dwyer said. “Likewise, corporations that are looking to stand out are sending out a little extra client love in the form of chocolates for this quick holiday that happens just after the winter gift-giving frenzy is over. And, by February, most people have given up their New Year's Resolutions and will happily eat chocolates if they had been abstaining from sweets. In other words, Valentine's Day gift-giving is hot and our puzzles and chocolate collections are perfect for anyone on your list."
Available in two different designs, the 100-gram puzzles feature 16 pieces. They’re available online for $22.