Belgium is Belgian chocolate. The country is the largest producer of sweets of the highest quality. Nowhere else will you find such an assortment, delicious taste and various combinations.

An excursion into the history of Belgian chocolate

In the 18th century, the drink was bitter and seasoned with spices. He was given exclusively to male wars. Residents believed that he was able to give strength and courage. Later, a little vanilla was added to the drink, and then cane sugar, so women liked the chocolate.

The Belgians are sure that the filling, configuration and aroma can be made any, but chocolate must consist of natural cocoa products.

In the 19th century, chocolate was considered a drug for adults. This continued until Jean Neuhaus founded the first pharmaceutical confectionery. In addition to medicine, chocolate was produced at the factory.

Chocolate made in Belgium is the hallmark of the country. Brands are not afraid of experiments and add numerous spices to the composition.

Interesting Chocolate Facts

The country has more than two thousand chocolate shops. However, tourists come not only to buy sweets.

Fillings in desserts impress the whole world with their taste.
  1. In Bruges and Brussels, chocolate routes are highly developed.
  2. There are numerous museums of chocolate.
  3. At master classes, eminent chocolatiers are taught to create unsurpassed chocolate.
  4. Visit the tasting rooms in private workshops.
  5. Visit a chocolate cafe where all dishes are prepared on the basis of chocolate.

In addition to sweets, residents are very fond of beer. And even here, enterprising Belgians were able to combine their favorite products.Having visited the country, you can drink beer from a chocolate bottle, which you can then eat.

Belgians produce sweets with:

  • thyme
  • basil;
  • an orange;
  • with the taste of garlic and onions;
  • with the addition of olive oil;
  • pepper;
  • salt;
  • flavored oysters and even seafood.
In Belgium, you can try chocolate with unusual fillings and tastes.

Arriving in this amazing country you can try:

  • chocolate pizza that you will not find in any other country in the world.
  • chocolate stamps, which were issued in a circulation of more than one hundred thousand pieces.

In Bruges, there is a 17th-century castle where the Chocolate Museum (Choco-Story) is located.

Here you can:

  • look at the work of pastry chefs and see how chocolate masterpieces are created;
  • learn about the evolution of chocolate;
  • visit the tasting rooms;
  • given the opportunity to learn the tricks of cooking goodies.

Having tasted great chocolate once, you will immediately fall in love with it and remain a fan forever.

How to distinguish real Belgian chocolate

The main difference by which you can find out the best Belgian chocolate is just the taste.

You can distinguish from a fake:

  1. By taste. It is necessary to place a piece on the tongue and not bite. Real chocolate will gradually melt in your mouth.
  2. To the touch. Real chocolate has a silky and smooth texture. On its surface there are no bubbles, bumps and lumps.
  3. Belle chocolate is not too bitter, but at the same time not sugary-sweet. Enjoying the dessert, you will feel how velvety notes gradually open, become richer and brighter.
  4. The smell. Forged dessert will emit the smell of burnt grains. Unscrupulous manufacturers mask the smell of rotten cocoa beans. The natural product smells aromatic.

Famous brands of chocolate from Belgium

The country has 12 major manufacturers.

Chocolate made in Belgium is famous for its use of exclusively natural products and is highly appreciated by professionals.

The most famous and oldest brands that have proven themselves to be of the highest quality are:

  • Daskalidès - has been producing chocolate since 1931 and is the standard for all world manufacturers;
  • Callebaut is a leader producing high-quality cocoa that has launched the production of chocolate bars;
  • Guvlian - launched into production the world-famous chocolate "Seafood";
  • Neuhaus - founded in 1985, and since 1991 the brand became the first in Belgium;
  • Leonidas - a factory founded by Leonidas Kesdekidis, produces elite chocolate available to everyone;
  • Belvas - famous for the production of organic truffles and pralines;
  • Jean Galler - achieved popularity through experiments to create new types and tastes of chocolate;
  • Godiva was founded by Joseph Drap, who, in addition to first-class chocolate, gained popularity due to the unusual packaging;
  • Côted’Or - produced the first chocolate bar in 1911 in the famous packaging;
  • Godiva - a symbol of prestige and luxury in the world;
  • Mary since 1919 is distinguished by the excellence of products, candy boxes and shop windows;
  • For 155 years, Neuhaus has been pleasing consumers with delicious pralines and chocolate;
  • Bruyerre, produces handmade products that are famous for their fillings.

Popular types of dessert

Belgian chocolate is always of the highest quality.

By standards, chocolate is produced in Belgium, which is distinguished by the rigor of the nomenclature:

  • Bitter chocolate. They are made from high quality raw materials on special equipment. Cocoa beans such a product contains more than 72%.
  • Milk chocolate (31% cocoa beans). Made with the addition of powdered milk of film.
  • Porous chocolate. Before getting into shape, the tiles are specially saturated with nitrogen, carbon dioxide and whipped vigorously. Under pressure, the gas forms bubbles.
  • Classic chocolate (31-33% cocoa), the size of the crushed grains of cocoa beans in cocoa butter contains no more than 30 microns.Belgian dark chocolate uses only powdered sugar, not sugar.
  • White chocolate. It contains sugar and oil significantly more than other types and does not include cocoa beans.

Gift Baskets

At the request of the buyer, a traditional set of sweets can be replaced with unusual, exotic fillings and even chocolate figures.

You can buy not only tiles and candies in bulk, but also Belgian chocolate in boxes. If you want to surprise, then a gift set of chocolate assortment, which includes a variety of sweets with spices, nuts and fruits will be the best gift.

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