On Valentine’s Day, I got up at dawn to head to Hoffman’s Chocolates in Greenacres to watch workers dip the famous chocolate-covered strawberries.
This year, teams worked ’round the clock to make enough. They dipped more than 42,000 Driscoll strawberries from Plant City.

The rich scent of chocolate nearly knocked us over when we arrived. At least 15 workers were cutting the green caps off huge ripe strawberries, and arranging them on one of three conveyor belts that led the berries to baths in dark, milk or white chocolate.
Even at 7 a.m., they were tempting, in their shiny chocolate armor.
They entered a curtain of chocolate, then a cooling tunnel for 6 to 8 minutes, to harden the chocolate shell. Next, they got a decorative drizzle of chocolate, and workers put them into frilly little paper cups and then white paper boxes, ready for passionate fans.

In the past, I recall the traditional local treat had green, leafy caps on. President Fred Meltzer confirmed they’d been taking off the caps for more than a year, enrobing the entire strawberry. (More chocolate).
He also said Hoffman’s tries to buy locally whenever possible. Sixty percent of their ingredients are local.
In the gift shop, anyone can watch the dipping, and other chocolate work, through a huge picture window that looks into the work room. As a Valentine’s Day treat, a valet parked shoppers cars from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
There’s also a cute ice cream shop there, with coffee, ice cream, and more. Great place to take visitors, but also not to be missed by locals. Don’t wait for a holiday to visit.
We bought an embarrassing number of chocolate strawberries. The strawberry season isn’t that long, and Valentine’s Day is just one day a year… How sweet.
Hoffman’s Chocolates
5190 Lake Worth Road
Greenacres, Fl
(561)433-GIFT
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