With the price of cocoa beans setting unprecedented records on the commodities market, it will certainly turn the gift of love into a bigger financial commitment than it once was. Turns out that if love is reputed to be eternal, a low price for cocoa, the essential ingredient in chocolate, is not.

Cocoa prices rose to record highs last year amid a global supply shortage. Chocolate makers have raised their retail prices to compensate.

Ever since The Velvet Chocolatier set up shop in Stevenson in 2009, business has been great. "I owe it all to Oprah. She chose me as her favorite in 09," owner Ruthie Caroliner said. Ruthie told WMAR 2 News that each year,