"Chocolate might be something 'special' for children, mightn't it?"

That's what Kaori Nakagawa, mother of a 5-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy, told us.

"In our house, it's not something they can eat anytime. It's for when friends come over, or for special occasions like birthdays or Christmas. So, I secretly hide it in a very high place where the children can't reach it. I wonder if they've noticed (laughs)."

In fact, Ms. Nakagawa had never let her children eat chocolate until a year ago. "I thought, 'They're prone to cavities, and eventually they'll be able to eat whatever they want, so I'll be careful while I'm around.'"

Around last autumn, with that thought in mind, Ms. Nakagawa encountered "Chocolat de Familia" at an event she attended. She was deeply impressed by a single piece she received then.

"I think the one I had there was strawberry-flavored, and it really smelled like strawberries. I tried the yuzu flavor, and that too had the taste of real fruit. I had never let my children eat chocolate before, but I thought, 'I want my children to eat this.'"

And the reason for her trust isn't just the taste.

"The more I talked to the owner, the more I understood that she is genuinely dedicated to her craft. Knowing her personality, I felt relieved in that sense too."

Food made by a visible producer inspires greater confidence, and the producer's personality is reflected in the product.

Since then, the two have become friends who can talk about anything, from parenting to work.

"I explain the reasons to my children, telling them chocolate is only for special occasions, and that they should play by themselves instead of watching TV or using smartphones... Perhaps our family practices 'Showa-era parenting'. But amidst all that, finding a chocolate that I can safely let them eat, and seeing my children's happy faces, has made me very happy," says Ms. Nakagawa.

"Also, since my friends know that our family practices 'Showa-era parenting,' they feel at ease accepting what I bring as a gift. With Chocolat de Familia's chocolate, their children don't have to endure deprivation. It's a staple gift for me; I always keep it in stock."

While adhering to Ms. Nakagawa's principles, she can also see her children's "delicious?" smiles.

This chocolate was the realization of that ideal.

Profile

Kaori Nakagawa and her children. A mother of two, a 5-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son, she also presides over her own apparel brand. Ms. Nakagawa's children appear on the Chocolat de Familia website.