Chocolate of Belgium: What’s the Best Kept Ingredient?

Chocolate is the word that melts the hearts of all sweet lovers. Chocolate of Belgium is of pristine quality with a sinful texture and exceptional taste. Belgian chocolates are amazing. The way they are made is just exceptionally classy and sophisticated.

The taste is amazing, the surface is smooth as butter, and the bitter-sweet taste harmonizes with your taste buds. The Belgian economy depends on the chocolate industry, which significantly serves the economy.

Despite being a small country, this place’s heart and culture are rich with love and chocolates. From salted caramel to tasty truffles, they have the best Belgian chocolates and the best chocolate brands, which you can find all over the world, and also some unique ones which are only available here in Belgium. Let’s see what makes the world’s best Belgian chocolate so special.

1. Chocolate of Belgium – Cocoa Beans

The most significant part of making the chocolate is cocoa beans; they are the most important part of making the chocolate, serving as the very base of it. They are found in Africa, and while making Belgian chocolates, the finest ingredients are used, which includes best-quality cocoa beans.

Cocoa beans are found in the equatorial belt and on the Theobroma cacao tree. These trees need shade, and these are short trees, so sometimes the seeds are sown near tall trees, providing them with better shade.

These need hot tropical temperatures with ample amounts of rainfall. The soil in which these trees are grown also needs to be able to drain the water at a higher percentage.

There are different types of cocoa beans available, and some of the major types are mentioned below:

1.1. Criollo

A rare and exclusive delicacy, these beans are super rare and are quite vulnerable to environmental predators. These beans are difficult to maintain and have a substantially low yield compared to the others, approximately 1-3%.

The bitterness level is really low, and the aroma is just breathtaking. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the best chocolate served by the best chocolate brands is made from Criollo.

These are the best, and if they are used in your chocolate, the connoisseur will be stupefied by the taste, smell, texture, and everything.

These are very weak and not resistant to the diseases surrounding cocoa beans. So you must be extra careful when managing them and constantly regulate the condition.

Belgian chocolate is the epitome of chocolates, and the quality ingredients make them starling. When tasted, the chocolates made from Criollo beans will mesmerize you.

The Belgian chocolate industry focuses on the best ingredients and taste, representing not only the ingredients and flavours but also the history and culture of their food

1.2. Forastero

These are abundant and are used in making all different kinds of chocolates, regardless of the country or region.

They have higher production rates because of their excellent resistance to different diseases. These are used in all sorts of dark chocolate bars, milk chocolate, and Belgian chocolate. The Belgian chocolate brands ensure the chocolate you receive consists of the finest ingredients.

1.3. Trinitario

With a high concentration of cocoa butter, this cocoa bean is a cross of Forastero and Criollo, which gives it hybrid properties from both. The production is 12-15%.

They are slowly replacing Forastero, and in some decades, we might find them everywhere because of their rich aroma, excellent resistance, and great production rate.

Cocoa beans play a significant role, but their quality also depends on the kind of region they were grown in. At the same time, the soil, the way they receive sunlight, and all types of weather conditions play a role in determining the quality of the beans.

Belgian chocolatiers use the finest ingredients to get you the best chocolates, and the way they prepare them is also superb, which we will see further.

2. Procedure for Making Belgian Chocolates

• The storage area containing cacao beans should have better air conditioning and plenty of space. The air should be clean, and no strong odours should be there for the beans to absorb them.
• The beans should be cleaned properly, the dried pulp should be removed along with the unwanted materials on the beans, and strong vacuums should be used to extract all the leftover materials.
• The roasting part comes after this. After they are cleansed, the beans are roasted. These beans are roasted at around 250 degrees Celsius. The timing for roasting depends on the kind of bean you are using. The aroma and the colour of the bean change significantly.
• Then, later on in the process, the shells are removed using different machines to get the centre part of the bean.
• A process of conching is used, which distinguishes the different types of chocolates from each other.
• This process makes Belgian chocolate better, with a finer texture.
• The nibs, extracted and processed from the above, are then subjected to other refining processes to get cocoa butter, which is melted and called chocolate liquor.
• The refining process is where the Belgium touch comes in. Different Belgian chocolate brands have different chocolate liquors. The chocolate liquor differentiates one chocolate from another.
• Cocoa is separated from Cocoa butter, which is further used to make milk chocolates and other chocolates based on the added fine ingredients.

3. Belgian chocolate Brands

3.1. Godiva

They are one of the best Belgian chocolate brands. The art of chocolate making is in the hands of the chocolatiers of Godiva.

They might be on a list of expensive Belgian chocolate brands, but every piece crafted from them will satisfy your desire for Belgian chocolate. They stand at the top in many ways, making the best Belgian chocolates.

3.2. Neuhaus

Jean Neuhaus, the doctor who gave the idea, or Jean Neuhaus jr, who took the idea from his grandfather when he saw that kids were refusing to eat medicines. Neuhaus wrapped those medicines in chocolate, which gave Jean Neuhaus jr the idea of Belgian praline, a hard chocolate shell with a softer filling and thus paving the way for this chocolate brand and Neuhaus chocolates.

The Neuhaus history is quite interesting because the doctor thought about the children and used an apothecary store for the same. They thought about putting delicious fillings instead of medicine, which makes it sound interesting.

This is a premium brand, and with its history and class, Neuhaus chocolates are one of the best Belgian chocolates.

3.3. Bruyere

Bruyere also provides premium chocolates, but they are more in the category of affordable Belgian chocolate. They are amazing and have the finest ingredients, but at the same time, you can get them at a comparatively lower price than those mentioned above. They are available online.

3.4. Leonidas

This chocolate brand has a history, and its stores are available on most platforms. Leonidas chocolates are high-quality chocolate and use the best raw materials to give you the best flavour.

Several varieties are offered, and they use pure cocoa butter, which is unique to them. They serve delicious chocolates with types and quality ingredients, a must-try place for a chocolate lover.

3.5. Côte d’Or

If you visit Belgium and try different chocolate shops, you’ll often come across this brand. Côte d’Or is easily available and makes all sorts of chocolate bars and milk chocolates to satisfy your thirst for chocolates.

Almost all the chocolate shops have them. The first shop you visit will have them. It’s tasty, the company is quite old, and they maintain their legacy of making exquisite chocolates. It’s a must-try.

3.6. Wittamer

The ones who served the royals, the King and the queen of Belgium, had their cake made by Wittamer. They have a royal taste, and you should get that chocolate as soon as possible.

The place is beautiful. The chocolate is amazingly rich in culture and the finest of ingredients. A must-try!

3.7. Belvas

Founded around 2000, Belvas, even though recently opened, has made its mark in the Belgian chocolate market with its fair trade chocolates.

These new style chocolates from Belgium are in no way underestimated. They have a premium taste that you expect from a Belgian brand.

4. Chocolate Shops to Visit in Belgium

4.1. Maison Pierre Marcolini

Situated in Brussels, Maison Pierre Marcolini makes luxurious chocolates with premium ingredients. The shop looks classy and beautiful with a nice vibe.

4.2. Laurent Gerbaud

Situated in Brussels, Laurent Gerbaud is just spectacular. The quality is at its best, and the taste is amazing, serving you the best hot chocolate.

4.3. Frederic Blondeel Chocolate Factory and Shop

Situated in Koekelberg, Frederic Blondeel Chocolate Factory and Shop offers a creative outlook regarding how you are introduced to their taste. The flavors are just amazing. The white chocolate, Praline, and truffles are superb, and the place is beautiful. This place deserves a visit.

4.4. Chocolaterie Luc Van Hoorebeke

Situated in Gent, this is a beautiful place, and the family who runs the business has been doing it for quite some time. Chocolaterie Luc Van Hoorebeke serves authentic chocolate with an aroma that might hypnotize you. The ingredients used are local.

4.5. Burry

Situated in Antwerpen, Burry has lovely chocolate sculptures. You can also see a spectacular view through the windows.  It’s a beautiful place. Everyone should go to this place.

Closing Remarks

Belgian chocolate, without a doubt, is the best. The chocolate shops and the chocolate makers there are just spectacularly amazing. The chocolate brands produce the best Belgian chocolate; if you are a chocolate enthusiast, you will love it here.

Everything can make your heart skip a beat with every bite, from filled chocolates and chocolate bars to Truffles and Belgian praline. The famous Belgian chocolates are not at all overhyped. They live up to their name entirely.

Any connoisseur who is asked to judge these beautiful chocolates will give them maximum points. If you ever get a chance to try and experience the famous Belgian chocolate, go for it.