Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Belgian Chocolate Goodness!

An assortment of Belgian chocolatesImage via Wikipedia

Belgium Chocolates #2Image via Wikipedia

The creamy, bittersweet and dark lusciousness of chocolates is a total pleasure. Chocolates are also known as a woman's ultimate weakness, a man's secret pleasure and a child's sinful treasure. Some want them dark while some want them with milk. Some want them filled with strawberry, mocha or mint while others don't want anything but pure chocolate and its unique goodness.

Belgian chocolates are some of the creamiest, most delectable and best chocolates in the whole world. They are known for their one-of-a-kind quality. Many countries and companies produce their chocolates using advanced technology but Belgian chocolates are hand-made. They use high quality products and an old technique to make a bar of delectable chocolate. Many of the top quality chocolates found in the market are made in Belgium and studies show that this country produces at least 172,000 tons of cocoa annually. Belgians are truly chocolate lovers - imagine every town of the country having its own chocolate stores. These days, there are about 2,000 to 4,000 chocolate stores in Belgium.

What is the history of Belgian Chocolate? The Belgians were already making chocolates since the 18th century by hand. Grand Place is a memorable site not only for the Belgians but also for the chocolate lovers because it was where Mayor Henri Escher of Zurich tasted his first cup of cocoa which he liked very much that after sipping the heavenly chocolate drink, he decided to take it to Belgium. And by the 19th century, chocolate factories were sprouting everywhere and producing tons upon tons of chocolates, some of which were exported all around the world.

As kids, we loved the hard chocolate shell filled with creamy mocha or mint, but did you ever know about the genius who was behind the first hard chocolate shell? It was in the year 1912 that Jean Neuhaus decided to try a chocolate recipe and came up with a delicious hard chocolate shell that was filled with either cream or ganache.

Chocolates are not only given to lovers but are also great for your parents as a way to honor them as the people who brought you into this world. For Mother's day, one of the best gifts you can give to the special woman in your life is a basketful of chocolates or perhaps a bouquet of flowers made of sweet chocolates. No matter how busy you are in your career, family or charitable causes, make sure that you still have time to talk to your mother.

Planning to give someone a gift? Belgian chocolates could be just perfect. Imagine that green mint and caramel and that distinct taste that one only enjoys with Belgian chocolate. If you want to create a heavenly experience for the person who will be receiving your gift, give some of these chocolates and you will surely leave a mark with them somehow.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Noel_Chase 
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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

The Best Belgian Chocolate Shops in Brussels, Grand Sablon

Floral carpet on the Grand Place in Brussels, ...Image via Wikipedia


Every good chocoholic knows Belgian chocolate is the best in the world. But while tourists flock to the shops selling chocolate Manneken Pis statues around Grand Place, locals and in-the-know travelers head to Brussels' chocolate Mecca - Grand Sablon.

Grand Sablon (Grote Zavel in Dutch) is a small square (a triangle actually) with the beautiful Notre Dame de Sablon church at its head. Lining the streets are cafes, bars, restaurants and shops - most notably the best selection of chocolate shops in Brussels.

The following are the best Belgian Chocolate shops in Grand Sablon.

One of the oldest chocolatiers in Sablon is Wittamer. Henri Wittamer began his company in 1910 and it is now run by his son and daughter. Wittamer is the Official Supplier to the Court of Belgium but we lowly peasants can visit the chocolate shop, bakery and café on Grand Sablon. Recommendation - climb the stairs to the café on a cold winter's day and warm up with the thickest and best hot chocolate you've ever tasted. Then head over to the chocolate shop for a mixed box of pralines.

Wittamer Café
Place du Grand Sablon 6
1000 Brussels
+32 2 512 37 42

Wittamer Pâtissier, Glacier & Traiteur
12 Place du Grand Sablon
1000 Brussels
T: +32 (0)2 512 37 42

If Wittamer is classic and traditional, Pierre Marcolini is new and avant gard. When you first step into this shop you'd be forgiven for thinking you walked into a jewellery store. The chocolates are displayed in long glass cases, like tiny jewels. The clerks are immaculately dressed and handle the chocolates with white gloves. The décor screams decadence, and that is what Marcolini is all about. The cocoa beans are sourced from around the world, as are the unique flavours. Orange blossom, ginger, passion fruit and mango are just a few of the exotic flavours on offer.

Rue des Minimes 1
Place du Grand Sablon
T: +32(0)25141206

If you are looking for a truly traditional Belgian praline, look no further than the inventor of this delicacy - Neuhaus. Neuhaus has been making chocolate in Belgium since 1857. They invented the praline, 'a bite-sized filled chocolate' in 1912 and now their collection includes over 60 flavours. If you can't make it to Sablon, or to Belgium for that matter, never fear. It is possible to find Neuhaus outlets in 50 countries around the world.

Rue Lebeau 79,
1000 Brussels
T: +32 2 502 38 13

Many people's first exposure to Belgian chocolate comes in a shiny gold box bearing the name Godiva. Over 75 years ago, Joseph Draps founded a chocolate company in Belgium named for Lady Godiva. His son Joseph took over and shortened the name to simply Godiva. These days Godiva chocolate can be found from New York to Tokyo or right here in Brussels on the Grand Sablon.

Grand Sablon 47/48
1000 Brussels
T: +32 2 502 99 06

When you're talking about global expansion of a Belgian chocolate company, you can't leave out Leonidas. These little yellow chocolate shops are the 'Golden Arches' of the chocolate world. With 1,400 outlets around the world, chances are you won't have to travel all the way to Belgium for a taste. Nonetheless, you will find an outlet tucked in a corner of Sablon, rounding out the Belgian chocolate offerings on the square.

Place du Grand Sablon 41
1000 Brussels
T: +32 (0)2513 14 66

One Belgian chocolatier that I just can't fail to mention, even though it can't be found on Grand Sablon, is Zaabär. This new-comer on the Belgian chocolate scene, is pushing the boundaries of flavour and has beautiful packaging too. Their shop and factory is well worth a visit if you didn't get your chocolate fill on Grand Sablon.

125 chaussée de Charleroi
1060 Brussels
T: +32(0)25339580

The selection of chocolate shops in Brussels is endless, but if you are pressed for time and want one stop chocolate shopping, Place du Grand Sablon has something for every chocolate lover.

Alison Cornford-Matheson is a Canadian garden and travel photograher who lives in Brussels, Belgium. She is a passionate traveller who loves to share her discoveries through her words and photos. To read more about her expat life in Belgium and her travels in Europe visit her blog http://cheeseweb.eu

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alison_Cornford-Matheson
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Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Belgian Chocolate Biscuits Collection: A Delicious Gift

Chocolate shop in Antwerpen, BelgiumImage via WikipediaSince the discovery of chocolates, a lot of people have been crazy about it. In fact, in today's world, people are still craving for great tasting and fine chocolates from different parts of the world. You have to consider that everyone loves chocolates. In fact, even your dieting sister is secretly stashing chocolates in their bedroom. Besides, who can resist a great tasting chocolate?

This treat is definitely loved by all kinds of people. From kids to elder people, chocolates are one of the most popular candies in the world. Today, there are different countries that produce their kind of chocolate. Each country has a special chocolate and each offers great tasting fine chocolate. However, you have to consider that only a few countries are famous for their chocolates and one of these countries is Belgium.

Belgium is considered to be one of the best chocolate producers in the world. They produce high quality and find chocolates that everyone from all over the world really loves. In fact, many people purchase Belgian chocolates in duty free terminals in international airports as gifts to their loved ones. Some who has the money for it travels all the way to Belgium just to get a taste of the different Belgian chocolates that the country has to offer.

If you are a person who loves chocolates, you will never want to miss tasting the Belgian chocolate. In fact, chocolate lovers from all over the world say that you can never get enough of Belgian chocolates and you definitely can't not try and eat one even if you are on a diet.

One kind of Belgian chocolate is called the Belgian chocolate biscuits. In this kind of chocolate, the biscuit is covered with creamy Belgian chocolate. It also comes in different varieties of Belgian chocolate. There is milk chocolate, dark chocolate and there are also white chocolate coated biscuits available.

People have said that you will be missing a part of your life if you haven’t tasted Belgian chocolate biscuits. You have to consider that there are Belgian chocolate biscuits manufacturers located all over the world that produces great quality Belgian chocolate biscuits.

Here are a variety of high quality Belgian chocolate biscuits that you can consider buying at least once:

•    Grand Biscuit Selection
•    Diavola Chocolate Biscuits
•    Amouretto Chocolate Biscuits
•    Amandaggio Almond Biscuits
•    Ophelia Chocolate Biscuits

These are some of the Belgian chocolate biscuits brand that you have to consider buying. It is made from high quality biscuits and also high quality Belgian chocolates.

You will see that Belgian chocolates are different from other kinds of chocolates. You have to consider that Belgian chocolates are creamy and offer a not-so-sweet taste. Because of this, Belgian chocolates became world famous and will make you want for more.

There was even a story of a person that was given Belgian chocolates where she planned to make it last for up to five days. However, when she tasted the chocolate for the first time, the entire box of Belgian chocolates lasted for only thirty minutes.

Belgian chocolates truly offer high quality chocolates. So, if you haven’t tasted Belgian chocolates, particularly Belgian chocolate biscuits, you have to consider buying one. It can be expensive, but after you tasted one, you will know that it's worth every penny.

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