Belgian Chocolate

Belgian Chocolate History

Many of the favorite treats amongst people from different countries are products that are made from cocoa. These include drinks and products that are cocoa-based that have been seen by many civilizations as food for the gods and kings and queens. The records show that towards the end of the 15th century Christopher Columbus brought back cocoa beans from his travels in the New World, this was probably the start of chocolates in Europe. It is now known that even before this, the Spanish traded with the Aztecs, exchanging cocoa beans for gold.

It is most probable that the most important products made from cocoa beans are chocolates. Lots of countries have made a reputation from producing fantastic chocolates, and chocolate drinks. Probably the best-known of these countries is Belgium, and one product being Brussels chocolate.

History of Brussels chocolate or Belgian chocolate:

The Belgian chocolate history, as its beginnings in the Congo at the time of Belgium's acquisition of this country. The Congo is covered in cocoa fields, and when it became the Belgian Congo it made these fields easily accessible for Belgium to process the cocoa beans for chocolate.

It was under the leadership of Leopold II in 1885 that the colonization of the Congo occurred, and was not without controversy because terrible genocide took place. However, despite this, the Belgians have kept that connection to the Congo and continue to import cocoa beans from there.

Belgium currently produces approximately one hundred and seventy two thousand tons of chocolate a year. There are also over 2,000 retail shops within the country that sell chocolates. Because most of the producers of this chocolates take great pride in the products they make, they continue to produce them by hand.

Chocolate Praline:

One of the most popular and unique chocolate recipes is praline, this recipe was created by a Swiss family called Neuhaus. The Belgian chocolate praline was introduced to the world in the city of Brussels in 1912.

Belgian chocolate pralines uniqueness was due to the fact that it was the first chocolate to be filled with another type of confection. Some of these fillings were made from cream, nuts and other types of chocolate, such as milk chocolate or white chocolate.

Because chocolate making is a serious business, and Belgium, particularly Brussels is seen as one of the best makers of chocolates in the world, the recipes are kept under close guard.