A Richmond Local Favorite: For the Love of Chocolate in Carytown

Curt Reichstetter

Oct 7

2 min read

Did you know chocolate comes from a fruit? Nope, me neither. Cacao beans are the seeds inside the cacao pod. Maybe now I'll actually hit my seven or eight servings of fruits and vegetables a day. My doctor will be proud, I'm sure.

A Quick History of Chocolate

The earliest evidence of people using cacao is about 5,300 years old, from what is now Ecuador. It was thought to be magical and was often used in sacred ceremonies.

Chocolate made its way to Europe in the 1500s, where the Spanish sweetened it with sugar and cinnamon. It was all the rage among the rich and royal for a long time. Then, in 1828, Coenraad van Houten patented a cocoa press, and chocolate eventually became something everyone could enjoy.

Our Go-To for Chocolate Gifts

Lucky for us, chocolate is easy to find in Richmond. But if you really want to up your chocolate game, or give an amazing gift to a friend (or your favorite Realtor), you absolutely have to check out For the Love of Chocolate in Carytown.

Chocolate gifts from For the Love of Chocolate on West Cary Street

The selection is above and beyond, with lots of unique finds and treats from all over the world, and the staff is pretty cool too. We love going there to pick out gifts for our clients (and maybe one or two for me).

It's at 3136 W. Cary St. Go now! Get off the couch and go! You won't regret it. Are you there yet?

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is For the Love of Chocolate in Richmond?

It's at 3136 W. Cary St. in Carytown, Richmond, VA 23221. Call (804) 359-5645 or check their website for hours.

Is chocolate really made from a fruit?

Sort of. Chocolate is made from cacao beans, which are the seeds of the cacao tree's fruit, a large pod. So it comes from a fruit, but it doesn't count toward your daily servings!

Is this a paid endorsement?

No. This is simply Curt and Heather sharing a Richmond favorite as part of an ongoing series on Richmond-area local favorites.