In Japan, women give gifts to men on Valentine’s Day, and sometimes it seems that no one has better mastered the art of candy-making than the Japanese. Who else would combine chocolate with tea to create a scrumptious treat? The sweet and bitter flavors of white chocolate and green tea complement each other well, just like you and your Sweetie, and when they’re in the shape of cute little hearts, they’re down-right irresistible. This Valentine’s Day, you can show your loved one just how much you care with the following recipe, straight from Japan, and then you’ll be irresistible, too:

Green Tea Chocolate Hearts

• 1 lb white chocolate chips
• 4 tsp green tea powder
• 2 Tbsp milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• Heart-shaped molds or cookie-cutters (optional)
• Extra green tea powder for coating (optional)

Pour the white chocolate chips into a large mixing bowl and set to the side.
In a small pan, combine the green tea powder and milk. Place on the stove over low heat just until the mixture warms and the green tea dissolves.
In a separate pan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat, stopping just before it starts to boil. Then, add the milk and green tea mixture, carefully stirring.
Pour the entire mixture into the bowl of white chocolate chips. As the chocolate melts, stir gently. Continue to stir until all chocolate chips have melted, and the mixture is smooth.
Line a 13 x 9 in. pan with wax paper, and place the heart-shaped molds or cookie cutters inside. Then, pour the chocolate mixture into the molds / cutters, and place the entire pan inside the refrigerator to cool.
Cool for about one hour, or until firm. As the mixture begins to cool, extra green tea powder can be sprinkled on top of the molds for added color and flavor.
Once firm, carefully remove chocolate hearts from the molds.
Serve to a loved-one, and have a happy Valentine’s Day, Japanese-style.

*As an alternative, this recipe can be made, without molds, by rolling the chocolate, as it cools, into small balls instead. Coat with green tea powder, and place inside the refrigerator, on wax paper, until firm.