Lots Of People Love Belgian Chocolates

There are two countries in the world which are known for their exceptional confectionery. The first, Switzerland, is perhaps the one that springs to mind most readily for most people. While it is true that the Swiss produce excellent bonbons, there are many delicious Belgian chocolates of note.

Many famous and well loved chocolatiers call the country of Belgium their home. Guylian, Cote-d’Or, and Godiva are three of the most celebrated brands available. Prepared to very high standards, these are luxurious offerings indeed. These manufacturers take great pains to create bonbons which look as good as they taste, and some of the results are astonishing indeed.

The specific recipes used to make these candies are specific to the country. A wonderfully rich cocoa flavor is made more possible by the lack of vegetable shortening in the mixture.

First introduced in the seventeenth century by explorers returning from the New World, the cocoa bean was an immediate hit in Europe. Brewed into a hot drink, as was the custom in South America, it soon became a very popular foodstuff.

It was soon apparent that a reliable and easier source of cocoa was necessary. This supply was to be discovered in Africa by King Leopold the second during Belgium’s colonial forays into the Congo. The people of Europe were able to access nearly unlimited supplies of cocoa beans, and Belgium emerged as the top producer of the time.

Neuhaus, the very first shop to sell these delicious cocoa treats, opened its doors in Brussels in 1857. Over one hundred and fifty years later it is still open and selling Belgian chocolates. It is the grandson of the founder who is said to have invented the praline. Though the future of this industry is subject to the same vagaries of any, it may not be unreasonable to assume that no matter what happens, Belgium will try very hard to stay on top as far as the manufacture of quality bonbons is concerned.

Many people ask what makes belgian chocolates better than regularchocolates, they have obviously never tried them…