14 WAYS TO SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR CHOCOLATE ALL FEBRUARY

AT THE MORTON ARBORETUM

Sweet Chocolate Events for Every Age

If you’re looking for a way to spread the love to family and friends this Valentine’s Day and throughout February, visit the Morton Arboretum where chocolatiers are bringing their passion for candy-making to inspire 14 chocolate-themed activities. 

From “sushi” to a kid’s chocolate pizza-making workshops to wine and beer pairings, we’re spreading the chocolate love with a daily chocolate exhibit and events throughout the month for kids and adults.

Kids Get Gooey on Feb. 19th making Chocolate Pizza

Belgian Chocolatier

1. Spread the Love with Chocolate. A Chocolate Expo will be held Saturday and Sunday, February 4 and 5; 10 a.m-4 p.m.; Visitor Center; Sample and purchase unique sweets and chocolate-themed gifts made by 17 Chicago-area chocolatiers. Events will include: “Tempering Chocolate Explained;” “The Health Benefits of Chocolate;” “Dove Chocolate Discovery Tasting Party;” and “Mastering The Chocolate Martini.”
2. Sweat Treats. Chocolate-themed sweets and gifts will leave you smitten, on sale at The Arboretum Store, daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; The Arboretum Store
3. Kid-friendly Projects. A free chocolate-themed kids’ event – “Cool Kids Winter Play,” is on tap for February 1, 3, 4, & 5 from 11a.m. & 1 p.m. in the Children’s Garden.
4. Heart-to-heart Reads. “Arbor Reading Adventures for Children” are being held February 1 and 3, 11-11:45; $4 member children, ($5 non-member children); Adult must accompany child (no cost)
5. Signed with a Kiss.  A “Children's Book Signing and Storytelling” will be held Feb. 4; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Visitor Center; Sit down for story time with a reading of The Chocolate Story: A Sweet Little Fable, by Rick Moser. Kids can learn delicious lessons about making good choices.
6. Here’s to Truffles. A truffle-making workshop will be held Saturday, February 11; 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. & 2 p.m. Thornhill Education Center; $23 members ($28 non-member) Discover the secrets to making these delicious treats during this hands-on workshop.
7. Say “I love chocolate” with “Sushi.” A chocolate “Sushi” workshop will be held Sunday, February 12; 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. & 2 p.m. Thornhill Education Center $32 ($37 non-member). Roll up your sleeves and get ready to make chocolate "sushi" during this hands-on workshop.
8. The Science of Sweetness. “The Botany of Chocolate” workshop will be held Saturday, February 18; 1–3 p.m. Visitor Center; $22 ($29 non-member); Explore the history, culture, and science of chocolate in this workshop.
9. Sip the from the Vineyards of Chocolate. Explore the mystical union of chocolate and wine. Experts from Wente Family Estates and KOKKU Gourmet will demonstrate how to savor the nuances of five wines and single origin chocolate Sunday, February 19; 3-5 p.m. Ginkgo Restaurant; $20 Members ($25 non-members).
10.  Kids Get Gooey. A Chocolate “Pizza” Party, will be held Feb 19 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m; $10 ($15 non-member); Children will learn how to make a Chocolate “pizza” and other chocolaty treats.
11. Chewy Chocolate for Kids. A kids’ Chocolate Crepe Workshop will be held Monday, February 20 (President’s Day) 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.; Visitor Center; $20 ($30 non-member); Learn how to make chocolate crepes and sample chocolates in this cooking class for kids.
12. Sweet Home Chicago. At one time Chicago produced one-third of the nation’s candy and was known as the candy capitol of America. From Brach's caramels, to Mars Snickers bars, to Frango Mints, learn some of the history behind these tasty treats when Leslie Goddard, author and our resident historian presents “Chicago’s Sweet Candy History.” Saturday, February 25; 9:30-11 a.m. Ginkgo Restaurant; $23 members (non-members $28) Includes a chocolate-themed brunch of puff pastries with caramel and warm chocolate; seasonal fruit; bacon and turkey sausage and beverages.
13. Cheers to Chocolate. Enjoy “small plate” servings and sample beer from Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company in the Ginkgo Restaurant with chocolate by Graham’s Chocolate paired with a variety of Leinenkugel’s Beer. Sunday, Feb. 26; 3-5 p.m. Ginkgo Restaurant $30 ($35 non-member).
14. What Inspires Chocolate? Discover everything you need to know about sweetness with our daily Chocolate Exhibit 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Visitor Center.  This mini exhibit highlights the growing, harvesting, and production process of chocolate and its relationship to trees.

For more information or to sign up for, go to mortonarb.org or 630-725-2066, Monday-Friday; 10a.m.-3 p.m.