Bite me Paul A Young’s Valentine chocolate collection

A BOX of chocolates is a handy trick to have up your sleeve. In the film of My Fair Lady, Henry Higgins offers Eliza a chocolate cream to entreat her to stay after he has offended her, and boxes of them if she stays. Of course it works, Eliza knows what she is doing. Next Wednesday is Valentine’s Day and a good time to remember this lesson, whether you are taken, single or in a more complicated situation.

Leading London’s boxes is Paul A Young’s Valentine’s collection, pictured. It is a sight to behold — there’s the chocolate studded with colourful hundreds and thousands, the pink champagne number called The Dame Barbara complete with an edible diamond. Inside there are blackberries, cherries, stem ginger and sea salted caramel.

Even in the age of clean eating, a box of chocolates is an easy sell. There’s the aesthetic appeal — a grid of sweets, with a little printed menu to guide you through. And there’s the size. Surely something so diminutive won’t cause any lasting nutritional damage.

Paul A Young’s box is inspired by romantic novels, places, films and food. He says: “The joy of box of chocolates comes from a variety of textures, colours, nostalgia and picking your favourites. On Valentine’s Day, it’s about sharing with your loved one.”

He deliberately “went beyond hearts”, adding: “The collection isn’t just for women. We wanted it to be more inclusive. Romance means different things to different people. Sometimes it’s a meal at home, a holiday or a shared experience.”

It’s box clever.

@Susannahbutter