Picture this on your mind: it is a food that has a circular shell-like shaped object with a diameter of at least one inch; it has shallow grooves around and is about ½ inch thick; it is slightly soft to the touch and may melt if you hold on to it for long and then when you take a bite, a burst of wonderful flavors will fill your mouth. What is it? If you answer Belgian chocolate, you are correct! Belgian chocolates are these handmade bite-sized delectables filled with nuts and cream or dark chocolate that will leave your mouth craving for more.
Even though Belgian chocolates are similar to any other chocolate made from cacao seeds, these are considered to be the gourmet standard for chocolates the world over! Belgian chocolates have been around since Leopold II of Belgium colonized Congo in 1885. Belgians were able to import cocoa beans from cacao trees planted on the rich land of Congo. Leopold II was able to take advantage of the country's cocoa beans supply and ever since Belgian chocolatiers concocted different kinds of tasty treats. However, Belgian chocolates made its mark when a Swiss family from Brussels created the praline in 1912.
Praline is Belgian chocolate with a shell-like appearance filled with nuts, nougats or creams, coffee, fruit or dark chocolate. It has a taste all its own and most chocoholics can't get enough of them. Some of the most popular chocolatiers based in Belgium since the early 1900s include Leonidas, Neuhaus, Godiva and Nirvana. Praline Belgian chocolates are wrapped in a special packaging called the ballotin. It was made when the first praline was created in 1912 because Belgian chocolates were given as special gifts during that time.
This then became a tradition and until present times praline Belgian chocolates are bought to be given as gifts by locals and tourists alike. Even though a box of praline can be very expensive compared to buying a pound of Swiss chocolates, most chocoholics would prefer biting into a Belgian chocolate just to experience bursts of flavors leaving an exciting taste in their mouths. The praline Belgian chocolate is Belgium's national pride and this is quite evident with the country's tourism. Chocolate companies around Belgium are included in tourist package itineraries where tourists can see how praline Belgian chocolates are made.
The best thing about this is that you can get a taste of the praline you will see being hand made by the chocolatiers in each chocolate company you will be visiting. Tasting this handcrafted treats will leave you craving for more. So when in Belgium don't miss visiting the many Belgian chocolate stores in every town and village in this chocolate country. If you think you are a self-proclaimed chocoholic and you haven't tasted a piece of praline Belgian chocolates, then you are really missing a lot. Biting into a Belgian chocolate will be an experience you will never forget because the unique taste of praline will leave you looking for more. Many chocolate lovers around the world visit Belgium just to discover for themselves why Belgian chocolates are being regarded as the gourmet standard for all chocolates around the world. Every chocolatier in Belgium have their own unique taste and style for creating their praline Belgian chocolates. This is the reason why many chocoholics make a round of all the chocolate stores in Belgium.
Colleen Maguire
Writer, Traveler and Chocolate Lover
