Tianjin's first Chocolate Festival kicks off. [Photo by Yan Dongjie/chinadaily.com.cn]

Tianjin's first Chocolate Festival — which aims to become northern China's largest chocolate festival— kicked off last weekend, gathering a diverse range of premium chocolate products nationwide.

During the event, visitors savored creative delicacies like chocolate shaved ice and steamed cakes, and gained an in-depth understanding of chocolate's production process and cultural connotations.

"We screened over 100 brands and prioritized well-known premium ones, many from other cities," Zhang Ruinan, a marketing member of the Wudadao subdistrict office, said.

At the venue, a rich cocoa aroma filled the square, and various chocolate displays drew visitors to stop and sample. Many booths showcased on-site production, deepening visitors' interest and knowledge about chocolates and their derivatives.