Our Love For Chocolate

At Donckers Love is Chocolate!

Both chocolate and roses have become holiday traditions for gift giving on Valentin’s Day. (photo by Ron Caspi)

Over the past few months we have learned about what chocolate is in Daniel Rutz’s article, What is Chocolate? , how different types of cacao beans affect the taste of your end product chocolate in Davin Makela’s article, Flavors of Cacao, and we have learned some powerful reasons why we should eat more chocolate in Adonna Rometo’s article, 2015 New Year’s Resolution: Eat More Chocolate! In this month’s edition we will learn a bit about the history of giving chocolate on Valentine’s Day, and how this fits into the traditions at Donckers in Downtown Marquette.

Heart shaped boxes of chocolates have been a gift giving tradition on Valentine’s Day since the late 1800’s. (photo by Ron Caspi)

A Little History on Valentine’s Day

In pagan times February was celebrated with rituals to purify oneself for the new year to come. One of these practices involved men running about town striking those who came near with small whips as an act to fend off bad luck and bring fertility. Those women hoping to become pregnant made sure to get struck… perhaps this is where being struck in love by Cupid’s arrow originated?

Later February 14th became marked as a day to honor a priest named Valentinus who was put to death for secretly marrying lovers during the time of Claudius II who had outlawed marriage in order to maintain his army troops. One story claims that the notes young couples sent him while awaiting execution in jail were the first valentines.

Some of the sweet Valentines traditions that we practice today started in the second half of the 19th century, when the heart shaped box filled with rich chocolate treats first hit the shelves of candy shops in England. These foiled wrapped, heart shaped, red boxes, lined with decadent hand crafted chocolates and fancy truffles are still a big part of Valentine’s traditions today.

Chocolate and Its Symbolism Have a Rich History

Chocolate has been cultivated for centuries in Mesoamerica where it was prized as a mood enhancer, aphrodisiac and typically ingested as a bitter but invigorating drink. As time passed, cocoa beans became increasingly sought after, and due to their popularity they were used as currency in trade between the Aztecs and Mayans. When chocolate first reached Europe, it only passed noble lips. The rest is history.

Emily Lanctot, Marketing Director at Donckers holds up display trays of dark and milk chocolate sea salt caramels at the candy store in downtown Marquette, MI. (photo by Ron Caspi)

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

Today chocolate is one of the most popular confections in the world and it seems only natural that chocolate has become the favorite choice to represent lovers as it stimulates production in the brain of the same chemical, phenylethylamine, that is naturally produced when we are in love.

Chocolate is also full with antioxidants and vitamins (just a tablespoon of raw cacao powder contains the same amount of antioxidants as 6 cups of blueberries) giving us another reason to reach out for chocolate when we want to feel good.

Trouble deciding what you like best? This new chocolate available at Donckers includes a little bit of everything all rolled into one! (photo by Ron Caspi)

Need some ideas for your sweetie this Valentine’s Day?

Well, Donckers is just around the corner and has nurtured a fine confections making business since the early 1900’s. There’s no better place in town to find quality handcrafted chocolates from salted caramels, truffles, chocolate roses and our signature chocolate fudge, one of the first sweets made here.

We still use the original recipe handed down by Fred Donckers, one of the original owners, who taught us how to make fudge the very same way his family made it for generations. The Oompas at Donckers say that the secret to making fudge is the same that it has always been, “ You have to have patience and understanding. You have to make it with love.” Basically, like any great relationship, you have to pay attention and spend time with the fudge in order to understand it.

This Valentine’s Day Donckers is offering a special way to give to your sweetie and the community at the same time. (photo by Ron Caspi)

This Valentines Donckers is featuring an extra special way to show your loved ones you care while benefiting the community you love here in Marquette at the same time. The Have Heart Campaign is designed to give money to the Women’s Shelter here in Marquette.

The next time you stop into Donckers buy a heart to write a message for your sweetie, a friend, or a loved one, and share a little love with the Women’s Shelter. The hearts will be on display throughout our candy store and restaurant, and all of the money collected will go straight to helping women in need in our community.

For more delicious gift giving ideas check out Donckersonline.com

by Emily Lanctot

In addition to being the Director of Marketing at Donckers, Emily Lanctot is a working artist and an Adjunct Art and Design Professor at Northern Michigan University. Lanctot is interested in building creative communities and sees historic preservation, and small business development as a key part of that process. Lanctot is active in arts and culture in the region, and she currently sits on the board of the DeVos Art Museum and the City of Marquette Arts and Culture Advisory Committee.

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