Our love affair with chocolate is undeniable. Let’s face it, we’ve been finding ways to consume the essence of the cocoa bean since 600 BC. We use every holiday imaginable as an excuse to indulge. There are even special holidays every month celebrating chocolate—January 10 is Bittersweet Chocolate Day, March has American Chocolate Week, and August 4 is National Chocolate Chip Day. I wonder, was it the Easter Bunny’s idea to bring miniature chocolate replicas of himself?

February, however, takes the proverbial chocolate cake as the official Chocolate Lover’s Month. Just imagine, you have endless reasons this month to gift yourself or a loved one a gourmet-quality chocolate delicacy—from National Chocolate Fondue Day (February 5) to National Chocolate Soufflé Day (February 28) and Valentine’s Day (February 14). So get ready to experience a chocoholic binge all month long.

As you venture out, there are a few local chocolate experts that can provide some very tasty insights. Marcy and Tom Gallagher, owners of Kilwin’s on Battery Park Avenue offer a fabulous selection of gourmet chocolate goodies including hand-paddled fudge, fine chocolates, gift baskets, and boxed chocolates. The display cases are filled with a variety of handcrafted, creations such as truffles, creams, turtles, an authentic origin collection, and fun novelty chocolates. Many of them are made in house and the shop also does custom orders and gift baskets. Unique for Valentine’s will be Oreo cookies, Rice Krispie treats, caramel apples hand decorated with hearts and expressions of love and romance. “You can also create your own,” Marcy says. “There are plenty of gifts from which to choose.” They also have a store in Black Mountain at 116 West State Street.

For a worldly chocolate experience with flavor combinations that are bold and exciting, stop by the French Broad Chocolate Lounge, 10 S. Lexington Avenue. Their artisan truffle selection features flavors such as Canela Picante, with cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and extra bittersweet ganache and Thai, with lemongrass, ginger, lime and green chile. Owned by Dan and Jael Rattigan, the shop takes its inspiration from the cocoa- growing region of Costa Rica where the Rattigans spent several years perfecting the art of gourmet chocolates.

In honor of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, they have assembled the Aphrodisiac Collection featuring a few love-inducing ingredients. Fig & Port is chock full of notorious love foods: local figs, wine, chocolate and almonds. Cabernet Anise features a fruity cabernet sauvignon and a gentle infusion of star anise pods, and Indian Kulfi with cardamom, roses, and pistachios. You can also create your own collection from favorites including vanilla bourbon, hazelnut, lavender and honey, or Marsla chai. Consider giving a six- or 12-month chocolate subscription to your mate (or yourself). With such wonderful treasures right here in town, chocoholics are sure to have a sweet adventure.

Visit Kilwin’s at 26 Battery Park Avenue, online at kilwins.com, or in Black Mountain at 116 West State Street. Kilwin’s can be reached at 828.252.2639. French Broad Chocolate Lounge is located at 10 S. Lexington Avenue and online at frenchbroadchocolates.com. The store can be reached at 828.252.4181.