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Belgian chocolate - a cut above the rest
Monday, September 10, 2012
During the 2012 Olympics it seems a couple of Belgian athletes came back to the Olympic Village somewhat the worse for wear from their voyage of discovery into British drinking establishments. So in honour of those two and to celebrate their celebrations, we're going to take a look at another famous Belgian gourmet treat.
You can't get a hangover with it, and you certainly won't get sent home after a spot of over-indulgence - even if fermentation does make up a major part of the preparation process. We're talking here about Belgian chocolate. Perhaps up to now, you might have been more familiar with Swiss chocolate. But what you might not have known is that the Swiss "borrowed" the original Belgian recipe all those years ago. They tend to add more sugar to their version, though.
Belgian chocolate making tradition relies very much on the process of "conching", where ingredients are mixed with the basic chocolate paste while being stirred at a constant heat for a specified amount of time, all depending on what form the finished product is going to take.
Belgian chocolate makers are very selective about the kind of cocoa beans they use - the closer they grow to the equator, the better - and many of the other ingredients of Belgian chocolates, whether plain bars or pralines stuffed full of all kinds of delicious fillings are regulated by law. Since the country with a population of roughly 10 million people has over 2000 chocolate shops to its credit, obviously Belgian chocolate makers are doing something right - whether they 'e the small independent chocolate shops found in villages throughout the country, or major chocolate manufacturers.
No wonder Belgians are mad for their chocolate: it's almost a surprise that they let any of it out through their borders and out into the big wide world. 80% of their exports don't make it much further than the EC, but that doesn't mean they're not enjoyed elsewhere around the globe, especially in North America and even Japan. So now those excellent Belgian Olympic competitors are safely back home - with or without hangovers they'll remember for the rest of their lives - it's reassuring to know that there is still some Belgian excellence for us to enjoy here in the UK: Belgian chocolate!
You can't get a hangover with it, and you certainly won't get sent home after a spot of over-indulgence - even if fermentation does make up a major part of the preparation process. We're talking here about Belgian chocolate. Perhaps up to now, you might have been more familiar with Swiss chocolate. But what you might not have known is that the Swiss "borrowed" the original Belgian recipe all those years ago. They tend to add more sugar to their version, though.
Belgian chocolate making tradition relies very much on the process of "conching", where ingredients are mixed with the basic chocolate paste while being stirred at a constant heat for a specified amount of time, all depending on what form the finished product is going to take.
Belgian chocolate makers are very selective about the kind of cocoa beans they use - the closer they grow to the equator, the better - and many of the other ingredients of Belgian chocolates, whether plain bars or pralines stuffed full of all kinds of delicious fillings are regulated by law. Since the country with a population of roughly 10 million people has over 2000 chocolate shops to its credit, obviously Belgian chocolate makers are doing something right - whether they 'e the small independent chocolate shops found in villages throughout the country, or major chocolate manufacturers.
No wonder Belgians are mad for their chocolate: it's almost a surprise that they let any of it out through their borders and out into the big wide world. 80% of their exports don't make it much further than the EC, but that doesn't mean they're not enjoyed elsewhere around the globe, especially in North America and even Japan. So now those excellent Belgian Olympic competitors are safely back home - with or without hangovers they'll remember for the rest of their lives - it's reassuring to know that there is still some Belgian excellence for us to enjoy here in the UK: Belgian chocolate!
About the Author:
Belgian food does not always have to be complicated. Belgique's Continental Cafes exemplify that belief, serving Belgian celebration cakes in a warm and welcoming environment. Belgique online delivers this experience, plus Fine Belgian Chocolate and much more for you to enjoy in your own home.
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