Joyeuse Saint-Valentin!

Happy Valentine’s Day from French Market Spice! Did you know that in France, there actually exists a village Saint-Valentin, located in the heart of the Champagne Berrichonne (Indre department)? Valentine’s Day in France is not as commercialized as in the US. You will see romantic heart shaped themes and creations primarily among in the windows of chocolate shops, bakeries, and pastry shops. These only appear about the week before February 14th. You will not typically see the month-long promotional onslaught of cards, candies, jewelry advertisements, and decorations we come to expect in the US.

That said, I still do not consider my husband to be off the hook for some sort of acknowledgement of the day. I’m hoping for the delicate lemon tart with the icing that says “Je t’aime” (I love you), or a box of Joël Durand Coeurs Pralines from St Rémy de Provence.