Around Valentine's Day, heart-shaped things are ubiquitous, but the O.G. is the heart-shaped chocolate box. Here's the history of the holiday staple.

The history behind Valentine's Day chocolate, from its origins in Mesoamerica to the Victorian era to Richard Cadbury's heart-shaped chocolate boxes.

Ahead of Valentine’s Day, Vogue photographed our favorite (and most unusual) chocolates on the market that would make Cadbury proud. Order one—or, hell, order all. To borrow a line from another famous moment in the confectionary canon: “Life is like a box of chocolates: You never know what you’re going to get.”

In Pakistan, chocolates have become a staple for celebrations, particularly on Valentine’s Day. The influence of global marketing combined with local customs has cemented the tradition of gifting chocolates, not just as a token of love but also as a symbol of wealth and status.

Nowadays, heart-shaped boxes full of chocolate and candy are ubiquitous, but how did they become such a staple of Valentine's Day in the first place?