Types of Belgium Chocolate

For the chocolate connoisseur, Belgium chocolate is one of the world's finest delicacies. The various types of Belgium chocolate are of the highest quality.. Belgians take tremendous pride in their chocolate-making abilities, and there are many who try to imitate its distinct flavor; although it cannot be duplicated.

History

In the 17th century, when Belgium was ruled by Spain, Spanish explorers brought back cacao seeds from South America. As royalty was introduced to the flavors of chocolate, primarily chocolate beverages, the cacao seed began to be imported and traded and very quickly the flavor of chocolate spread across Europe. The popularity of chocolate rose, and over the course of time, a variety of recipes were developed that have become synonymous with Belgian chocolate.

Types

There are two specific types of Belgium chocolate. The Belgians typically fill their chocolate with butter cream, fruit cream, or other types of paste from a variety of nuts. These types of filled chocolates are known as pralines. The second type of Belgian chocolate is the truffle. Truffles are known to be excessively rich and creamy and are made from a mixture of creamy and solid chocolate.

Identification

The Belgians have been known to produce over 172,000 tons of high-quality chocolate per year. To maintain that high quality they must use the purest cacao beans available. The beans must be processed properly otherwise they will give the chocolate a gritty texture, rather than the smooth, creamy consistency that Belgian chocolate is famous for. Belgian chocolate is not overly sweet, but is a perfect blend of sweet and bitter flavors.

Where to buy Belgium Chocolate

In Europe, there are over 2,000 chocolate shops offering a fine variety of handmade Belgian chocolates. Since Belgium is considered the chocolate capital of the world, chocolate is readily available at grocery stores, vending machines, as well as close to 300 chocolate specialty shops in the country alone. If you live in the United States, purchasing Belgium chocolate is as easy as clicking on the many websites on the Internet that ship overseas.

Considerations

Pure Belgium chocolate is costly, but the quality of the chocolate is worth the price. Obviously, the best chocolate you can buy would be handmade and fresh. Belgians do not use preservatives in their chocolate, so it will not maintain its freshness and distinctive flavor for very long. Most Belgium chocolate will taste best when served at room temperature. Be sure to consult with the store or website that you are purchasing the chocolate from to receive tips on maintaining the freshness and flavor of your chocolate.

References

• Characteristics of Belgium Chocolate
• Buying Belgium Chocolate in Brussels
• History of Belgium Chocolate