What is the Secret of Belgian Chocolate?
Visit Belgium and you will understand why chocolate is essential in the life of this tiny country: you will find a chocolatier in every village, in every main street, and in big cities such as Liege, Brussels or Bruges, there will be an infinite choice of chocolate makers displaying their beautiful pralines all around you!
So why is it so delicious? Well, the best ingredients are used and the traditional techniques still prevail. Most belgian chocolates are made by hand in small workshops, by people who love their job and are very proud of their specialties. They receive their chocolate paste still warm and liquid in heated tanker truck and not in solid cold paste like in other countries. This way, it keeps its original flavor longer.
Why is it different? Well, Belgian chocolate became internationally known thanks to the invention of “pralines” (not the same as the sweet treats found in the States). This technique was invented in 1912 by Jean Neuhaus, a swiss man who had moved to Brussels. Praline-making consists in moulding a cold chocolate shell that can then be filled with any flavored chocolate or other ingredients (nougat, creams..). Neuhaus were also the first to use “ballotins”, the chic box to carefully wrap pralines.
Our favorite Belgian chocolate?
Pralines
- Neuhaus - The original Boutique in Galleries de la Reine in Brussels.
- Leonidas - check here to order some from the States
- And many small chocolatier like Bouvier, in Anseremme near Dinant.
Chocolate bars
For tours of Belgium including chocolate tasting and praline-making demonstration, check www.frenchescapade.com (50% off on August trip to Belgium).
The video below is a praline-making demonstration from Planète Chocolat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WflQgQ7NV9g
My name is Jackie Grandchamps. In 2003, I founded French Escapade, offering another way to travel in small groups of 8. "Don't be a tourist, be our guest" is the moto and spirit of my company.
Check www.frenchescapade.com
Through this blog, I will provide information about France, Belgium, California, (soon Italy) but also some stories from my guests on the tours.
Learn more about the company in the French Escapade section of this blog.
October 11th, 2009 at 5:41 am
Hope you can open your own shop too!!! Good luck!
August 10th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
This luxury chocolate is worth the price and the experience as well. So why craving for it. It is a chocolate that is so rich, smooth and no others compare.
August 14th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Belgian milk chocolate whipped with lots of creamy butter, swirled …I miss that taste.
May 31st, 2011 at 4:07 am
Do enjoy the fresh air outdoors but watch out too much sun exposure causes premature aging, tight dry skin, and brown spots which could turn into Melanoma. Want a safe tan use Self-Tanning Sprays or Tanning Beds instead.
June 23rd, 2011 at 11:17 am
Belgian chocolates are heavenly. I now know why…you’ve told us the secret. Secret or no secret the taste is unbeatable.