Belgium and Luxembourg (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

SHOPPING IN BELGIUM 303

Chocolate and Chocolatiers

High-quality Belgian chocolate is
famous all over the world for
three reasons. Firstly, Belgian
chocolatiers insist on top-
quality ingredients, starting with
the chocolate itself. This has a
high density of cocoa-solids and
cocoa-butter, which evaporates
on the tongue, giving the flavour a cool
and silky lift. Secondly, the Belgians

(Jean Neuhaus, in 1912, to be

precise) pioneered filled choc-

olates or pralines. These are

made with a variety of fillings

including hazelnut cream, fresh

cream, marzipan, liqueur and

assorted fruit pastes. Lastly,

Belgian chocolatiers invented

the famous white chocolate, a luxury

confection of cocoa-butter and milk.

White chocolate

with dark icing

Filled chocolates or pralines

were originally named

for their combination of

chocolate and hazelnut

cream known as praliné.

Displays of chocolate in shops radiate

an atmosphere of opulence. They are

also incomparable for the sheer variety

of shapes and choice of flavours.

Large-scale manufacturers
for leading brands strictly
maintain high standards,
and their products are
exported all over the world.

Customers can make their selection

from the cabinet, and individual

chocolates are picked out by the

white-gloved shop assistants, placed

in a box, weighed and beautifully

wrapped in paper and ribbon.

A shop displaying assorted Belgian chocolates

SPECIALIST CHOCOLATIERS

There are many small, specialist chocolatiers
creating their own products, especially in the
cities and popular towns. A number of pâtissiers
run a sideline in handmade chocolates as well.
There are also some other good, large-scale
manufacturers, whose products reach the
supermarkets. These include Guylian, who
make pralines in the shape of sea creatures;
and Galler, famous for their Langues de Chat
brand with artwork by the comic-strip artist
Philippe Geluck. Côte d’Or is a brand that pro-
duces delicious mini-bars called Mignonnette.

CHOCOLATE

MANUFACTURERS

The best-known brands are Corné

Port-Royal, Neuhaus, Leonidas

and Godiva. They have numerous

outlets and sell slabs of chocolates

as well as pre-packed boxes of

pralines. In Belgium, such boxes

are remarkably good value, given

their very high quality. A large

750-g (26-oz) box will typically

cost about 10–30 euros. Cream-

filled chocolates have a limited

shelf-life, but will keep fresh for

three weeks in cool conditions.