Yesterday we presented some non-traditional Valentine food gifts. Today, we take on the more expected categories of sweets, plus something with zero calories: artisan Valentine tea blends.

In alphabetical order, we recommend:

FEED YOUR SOUL: VEGAN BROWNIES

This bakery’s lineup includes popular cookies and bars (chocolate chip, peanut butter, etc.), but our pick for your Valentine are the vegan brownies (photo #1).

Rich, fudgy and melt-in-your-mouth, you wouldn’t know that they’re vegan. They’ll be a favorite with everyone, including the lactose-intolerant (no butter!) and kosher eaters (they’re certified kosher by OU).

The size is also great: a two-inch square: just enough to enjoy yourself, not enough to over-indulge. That’s the excuse we gave ourselves as we also dug into the magic bar and raspberry crumb cake squares.

Twelve vegan brownies, individually wrapped for freshness, arrive in a keepsake silver tin adorned with satin ribbon ($38). Get yours at FeedYourSoulBakery.com.
 
 
LITTLE BIRD KITCHEN: SPICY CHOCOLATE

With just enough spice to please, Little Bird Kitchen blends spicy Belgian chocolate—in dark, milk or white—with finely ground candied jalapeños (photo #2). Sprinkled with a touch of sea salt, they make us…happy.

The tiny bites are so irresistible, in fact, that we’re fortunate they’re made in one-ounce packages for portion control.

The cheerful white packets also make nice party favors…and down the line, stocking stuffers.

Get yours at Little Bird Kitchen.com.

You’ll also find other delights, from the simply-perfect hot and sweet candied peanuts, to chocolate drinking cups, to jalapeño simple syrup, for cocktails and ice cream topping.

The line is certified kosher (dairy) by OK.

 
QUIN CANDY: OLD-FASHIONED FAVORITES

Quin Candy makes small-batch, old-time favorites like fruity gumdrops, lollipops and hard candy (photo #3).

There are chocolate options, too: chocolate caramels, chewy chocolate dreams, chocolate lollipops, chocolate magic dust—plus pinot gris and pinot noir lollipops.

The colorful window boxes show the treats inside, and can be wrapped or handed out as party favors.

Get yours at QuinCandy.com.

Don’t overlook the Tart ‘N Fruity Old Fashioned Hard Candy, a personal favorite.

[1] Feed Your Soul’s vegan brownies melt in your mouth. They’re dairy free and kosher (photo courtesy Feed Your Soul Bakery).

[2] Little Bird Kitchen’s bites of Belgian chocolate—dark, milk or white—are perfectly spiced with jalapeno (photo courtesy BrandFire).

[3] Quin’s strawberry gum drops, one of a line of classic favorites (photo courtesy Quin Candy Co.).

[4] Fine artisan chocolates from St. Croix Chocolate Co. make any chocolate-lover’s heart go pitter patter (photo courtesy St. Croix Chocolate).

[5] Tay Tea has Valentine blends for lovers, in herbal and black blends (photo courtesy Tay Tea).

ST. CROIX CHOCOLATE CO.

Over the years we have written about many artisan chocolatiers nationwide. This year’s discovery is St. Croix Chocolate Co. of St. Croix, Minnesota (photo #4).

Great flavors and great art combine to make these delights worth sending for.

There are heart-shaped and square boxes, large and small. Extra-special is the heart-shaped edible chocolate box, filled with individual pieces.

Take a look at StCroixChocolateCo.com.
 
 
TAY TEA VALENTINE BLENDS

What’s better than something that has a heavenly aroma, glorious flavor and zero calories?

These Valentine blends from artisan tea blender Tay Tea are ready to warm up your loved ones (they’re also delicious iced):

 
If they doesn’t put recipients in an amorous mood, they will put them in a delighted one. The loose teas are available in giftable tins and apothecary jars, plus small packets if you just want to try them.

Get yours at TayTea.com.