The Best Chocolate in the World
Chocolate may well be the greatest food on earth. From mass-produced candy bars to epicurean truffles and pralines, it is enjoyed in most countries on the planet. Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, France and Belgium all compete with each other for market share. Everyone has their favorites, but most chocolate lovers agree that Belgian chocolate is the gold standard worldwide. And the French are not far behind. In Belgium, chocolate is a €5 billion industry employing close to 12,000 workers. They produce more than 10% of the world’s chocolate and have been innovators in the world of chocolate for centuries.
Why is Belgian chocolate so good?
Quality! In addition to the finest cocoa nibs, Belgian chocolatiers use 100% cocoa butter, unlike some in the European Union who use up to five percent fats like palm oil, which negatively affects quality. The other big differentiating factor with Belgian chocolate is craftsmanship and attention to detail. Not only is the chocolate itself better, but what Belgium’s chocolatiers do with it is where the true artistry lies. To truly understand why Belgium is the “chocolate capitol of the world”, though, we need to look at the history of chocolate itself.
The Sweet History of Chocolate
The first example of chocolate produced in Belgium was in 1635. In the 17th century, Belgium and the Netherlands were Spanish territories and Spanish explorers brought cocoa beans back from South America. The Belgians quickly embraced the magical beans but chocolate in those days was mostly produced by merchants and pharmacists. It wasn’t until the 18th century that chocolate was produced on a larger scale. When King Leopold III replaced the brutal Leopold II and colonized the Congo, large quantities of cocoa beans began to be exported to Belgium, which allowed chocolate makers to grow their businesses.
Chocolate could only be afforded by the wealthy at first, and the most common way to serve it was in hot chocolate drinks. By the late 18th century, chocolate was used in a variety of creamy desserts, cakes and biscuits. As chocolate production scaled up in the 19th century, it became more available to the middle and lower classes. It also began to take on different forms than just drinks and desserts.
Enter Neuhaus
Truffles, Hot Chocolate, Pralines, the Ballotin box
In 1912, Jean Neuhaus invented what would become Belgium’s most famous chocolate candy – the praline. Pralines consist of a hard chocolate shell filled with a soft, creamy filling. They come in a wide variety of shapes, colors and flavors and were an instant hit with the public. Neuhaus is still one of Belgium’s favorite chocolatiers with shops throughout Belgium, Europe and the world. One problem Jean Neuhaus discovered with pralines was that they broke easily in most packages. So, in 1915, his wife invented the ballotin – a distinctively shaped box tied up with a ribbon that is still used by Belgium’s artisanal chocolatiers. Today, there are more than 2,000 chocolate shops in Belgium, so it’s no surprise that the average Belgian’s consumption annually is more than 6 kilograms! Belgium also has a number of chocolate museums, Cacaolab, a research facility that originated at the University of Ghent, and medical research on the health benefits of chocolate, especially brain health. There’s even an annual Brussels Chocolate Fair that features a vast array of everything chocolate – even a fashion show where all the clothing is made from chocolate!
Artisan Chocolatiers
Belgian Chocolatiers at Work
While even the mass-produced chocolates are good in Belgium, it is the relatively small artisanal chocolatiers that raise Belgian chocolate to an art form. The chocolate is made in small batches and the creation of pralines, truffles and other specialties is done painstakingly by hand. The shelf life of fine chocolates is limited – fresh cream chocolates last only a few days – and the cost of highly skilled craftspeople make these expensive treats make them worth every penny! The good news is that you don’t have to go to Belgium to enjoy these world-class indulgences. Godiva and Neuhaus shops are a fixture in many U.S. shopping malls, and Bouchard, Guylian and Leonidas can be found throughout the U.S. You can also purchase a variety of Belgian chocolates online – many shipped straight from Belgium with special handling. Wherever you find them, treat yourself to the ultimate chocolate experience!
