Value for Money Valentine's Chocolates

Choceur Irish Handcrafted Chocolates€4.99 for 195g, €25.58 per kg

Okay so these are the cheapest Valentine’s chocolates we tried by a long shot and come from an Irish producer. They are packaged very nicely and even come with a little pink bow. There are five chocolate varieties among the 16 in the box and each of them is pretty nice. There is, however, a but. We mean no disrespect to Aldi but we’re not sure presenting your beloved with a box of chocolates that carries the label of the German discounter will be the fastest way to their heart. Let’s face it, it screams cheap, thoughtless and, um, did we say cheap? So you may need to carefully pull off the sticker label at the back (we tried, it does come off). Oh, and hide this review.

Verdict:Good value romance ****

L ir Valentine's Chocolates€14.95 for 250g, €59.80 per kg

The heart-shaped box is surprisingly classy – well, in so far as anything this cheesy can be said to be classy – and makes the chocolates look more expensive than they are. There are eight varieties of choc in the box and while they might not have been the most amazing chocolates we have ever tasted they are pretty damn fine, so fine in fact that we ate far too many in a single sitting. We reckon these are very good value for money without being excessively cheap.

Verdict: Good value ****

Cocoa Atelier Chocolate Heart€14.95 for 100g, €149.50 per kg

If you’re looking to make a great first impression with your Valentine’s Day gift then you’ll not go far wrong with this amazing looking dark chocolate heart from a chocolatier with shops on Drury Street in Dublin and the Dundrum Town Centre. This heart was made in Park West in Dublin and has been coated in a red sugar and dotted with edible diamonds. While the presentation is first class and the heart of darkness gorgeous, there are downsides – the red sugary stuff is very messy and can be hard to wash off while we were also a little disappointed to only find three small heart-shaped chocs in our big heart. It’s dear too.

Verdict: Lovely. Messy. Dear. ***

Lorge Chocolatier€24.95 for 300g €83.16 per kg

These chocolates are fantastic and there are a whole lot of varieties to choose from – although it could really do with a key as we had no idea what we were eating until it was too late. While we liked the extravagant bow and the metal star used to dress up the packaging, we’re not convinced the clear box does this any favours. Apart from robbing the recipient of anything by way of anticipation, the chocolates tend to come out of their assigned spaces, so unless you are very careful, it could all end up looking a little on the sloppy side.

Is there something you would like us to test?

Email suggestions to pricewatch@irishtimes.com