Belgium Chocolates Come In All Shapes, Sizes and SavorsYou might be surprised to know that Belgium chocolates are created, produced and sold in many shapes, sizes and savors. From traditional Belgian pralines to the classic chocolate bar, and from the Aztec-inspired hot chocolate drink to the many wonderful treats dipped, smothered or covered in chocolate (such as coffee beans, fruit and marshmallows), Belgian chocolatiers are nothing if not inventive, creative and prolific in what they do with the magical cacoa bean. With this page, the Brussels-Belgium-Travel-Guide offers a review of Belgium chocolates in their more traditional forms, modern fashions, and more whimsical products.
When the cacoa bean was first discovered by the Aztec and Mayan cultures in South America, it was served in the form of a bitter, frothy drink. As the bean and the drink made its way to Europe, enterprising entrepreneurs experimented with other forms, ultimately creating edible chocolate in various dark, milk and white forms. It was Neuhaus, however, who created the world-famous Belgian praline by creating a chocolate couverture shell and filling it with an almond paste. Voila, the Belgian praline was born and ever since, chocolatiers have worked to improve, improvise and embellish this traditional Belgian treat. Today, Belgium is a chocolate-lover's Garden of Eden when it comes to pralines. Chocolatiers have created pralines flavored with fruits, nuts, spices, flowers, creams, caramels - even vegetables such as cayenne pepper! The chocolates come in a variety of forms including circles, squares, rectangles, and triangles (Neuhaus' famous Caprice and Tentation). You can find them in long strips (Leonida's dark chocolate covered orange slices), animal shapes (Pierre Marcolini's caramel-filled milk chocolate duck) and even seashells and sea horses (Guylian). Truly, Belgium offers a Garden of Eden's delights when it comes to Belgium chocolates and the many varieties of pralines available. The Chocolate Bar In its most simplistic form, are chocolate bars produced for cooking and eating. You can buy these in any grocery store in 250 gram or 500 gram bars. Carrefour offers a cheap but quality bar (dark or milk). Comparable name brands are Callebaut (the brand recommended by American icon Martha Stewart) and Jacques. Belgians buy these not just for cooking, but for breaking apart and enjoying a small 25-gram chocolate moment. Chocolate bars are also offered in more interesting varities. Cote d'Or offers a line of specialty bars infused with almonds, pecans or hazlenuts. Milka offers a number of varieties as well including caramel or toffee filled. New Tree produces chocolate bars containing Omega-3 oils in multiple flavors including cinnamon, lavendar and cayenne pepper. Galler produces smaller chocolate bars (125 grams) filled with praline-like fillings like coffee, Cointreau liquor and truffle. All of these are available at large grocery stores. Cafe Tasse started producing its chocolate in bar form and offers a number of dark, milk and white varieties inspired by flavors borrowed from Earl Grey tea, orange, coffee and cinnamon. If you're looking for some Belgium chocolates to take home as gifts in easy-to-pack forms, Belgian chocolate bars are easy, economical and delicious. Dip It, Cover It, Smother It Cote d'Or's Choklotoff is a dark chocolate caramel-type candy that is one of our favorites. If you need to take home small en masse, we recommend buying the 2.5 kilo bag (about 15 euros) which will provide you with 250 Choklotoffs. You can then purchase small cellophane bags (we recommend Cla Vie in Waterloo for the bags) drop 20 or so Choklotoffs in them and you have 12 small gifts - great for the office, family and friends.You can find these in any grocery store. Chocolate-covered coffee beans are a favorite of many. You can find them in little burlap bags at Cafe Tasse. Godiva Chocolate specializes in fresh fruit dipped in chocolate. Visit their Grand Place shop and you can even watch them from their demonstration window as they dip strawberries or orange slices in a beautiful chocolate fountain. Or, if you prefer, you can drop in a grocery store like Carrefour and purchase your own chocolate fondue to take home with you. We recommend the Guylian brand. Great for dipping fruit, cookies or whatever you fancy. As promised, you can find chocolate-covered marshmallows here too. Some Belgian chocolate shops offer them. You can also find them in bags at grocery stores. Yummy. No doubt, Belgium chocolates come in all shapes, sizes and savours. You'll never discovere them all, but you'll sure enjoy trying to!
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