Forget a diamond ring for Valentine’s Day – this has been trumped by a ruby KitKat chocolate snack by Nestle Japan.

Its Sublime Ruby KitKat has been unveiled with due ceremony in Tokyo, and has been rolled out in KitKat Chocolatory boutiques across Japan, a further addition to Nestle’s “Made-In-Japan” luxury flavours for the snack.

It is made from the new Ruby chocolate, which differs in flavour from traditional bitter, milk and white chocolate. Swiss chocolate maker Barry Callebaut spent more than 10 years developing its masterpiece, released in Shanghai in September.

Made from the ruby cocoa bean, it is described as a new experience with an intense taste and characteristic reddish colour. It is not bitter, milky or sweet, but has a balance between berry fruitiness and smoothness. No berries, flavours or colours are added.

Chef/patissier Yasumasa Takagi, who has been supervising new KitKat products since 2003, managed to encompass the new chocolate in KitKat form in time for the product to be ready in Japan ahead of Valentine’s Day.

Units of Sublime Ruby KitKat will be available in limited numbers, with an assortment box to follow including the new product.