It’s Valentine’s Day and CStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte is taste testing some Valentine’s products from American Licorice Co. According to the annual survey released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics, Valentine’s Day spending is expected to reach $23.9 billion this year — up from $21.8 billion in 2021 and the second-highest year on record.

In addition she’s reviewing two beverage products:  POCAS ready-to-drink bubble tea in matcha flavor and Nirvana HMB water, which is a functional water that improves muscle wellness.