Some are boozy, some are spicy, some are minty and some are just plain bananas. The 4th Annual Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival is back and holy chocolate smokes, there are some super delicious cups of cocoa being poured in Vancouver.

For a full month, you can sip, slurp and repeat as you taste your way through over 60 crazy hot chocolate or hot chocolate inspired flavours. Organised by City Food Magazine, the festival started January 18 and runs until February 14.

Over 20 cafes are participating in this year’s festival – from Bel Cafe to Blenz, Terra Breads to Thierry. If you want to walk off your calories and do a bit of a tour, festival sponsor City Food has mapped out Hot Chocolate Festival destinations here.

The festival isn’t only about hot chocolate, it’s also about raising funds for a local charity.  This year’s recipient of Hot Chocolate Festival proceeds is the Downtown Eastside women’s job training program of the Portland Hotel Society and East Van Roasters. The program provides part-time employment for female residents of the Rainier Hotel in the art of chocolate making. Watch the completely inspiring video to feel great about all the chocolately goodness you’ll consume in the next few weeks.

Below you’ll find some highlights of this year’s festival.

Thierry Chocolaterie Patisserie -  Three times lucky? A TRIO OF CHOCOLATE is a base of 66% Mokaya chocolate by Michel Cluizel. Served with a disk of 45% Kayambe milk chocolate + white chocolate ice cream. The Trio of Chocolate is only available from January 18 – January  31, so carpe diem.