A Taste of Luxury: What Makes Belgian Chocolate So Special? (2024)

Belgian chocolate has become one of the most popular and sought after confections in the world, with many people considering it an essential part of a luxurious and special experience. But what is it about Belgian chocolate that makes it stand out from all the rest? Read on to find out what makes Belgian chocolates so special.

Introduction to Belgian Chocolates


Belgian chocolate is some of the best in the world. It's made with real cocoa butter and has a rich, creamy flavour. Belgian chocolate is also very smooth and melts in your mouth easily.


There are many different types of Belgian chocolate, but they all have one thing in common: they're absolutely delicious! If you're looking for a special treat, Belgian chocolate is definitely the way to go.


History of Belgian Chocolate Making


Belgian chocolate is some of the finest in the world and has been renowned for its quality since the early 1800s. The country's humid climate is perfect for growing cacao beans, and Belgium's chocolatiers have perfected the art of crafting chocolate into delicious sweet treats.


Belgium's chocolate-making tradition began in the early 1800s when a group of enterprising individuals started importing cacao beans from South America. They quickly realized that Belgium's humid climate was ideal for growing cacao beans, and they began cultivating their own plantations.


The Belgian chocolate-making industry really took off in the 1860s when a businessman named Jean Neuhaus invented the first filled chocolate bonbon. His invention was an instant hit with the public, and soon other chocolatiers were creating their own versions of filled chocolates.


Today, Belgian chocolate is still highly regarded for its quality and flavour. The country's chocolatiers continue to experiment with new flavour combinations and techniques, ensuring that Belgian chocolate remains at the forefront of the global chocolate industry.


What is the Difference Between Belgian and Other Chocolates?


While all chocolates are delicious, there is something special about Belgian chocolate. Belgian chocolate is made with a higher cocoa content than other chocolates, which gives it a richer flavour. In addition, Belgian chocolate is often made with real cream, rather than milk or vegetable oil, which makes it even more luxurious. Finally, the best Belgian chocolates are hand-crafted by skilled artisans, using traditional techniques that have been passed down for generations—this attention to detail results in a truly exceptional product.


The Ingredients Used in Belgian Chocolate


Belgian chocolate is world-renowned for its rich flavour and creamy texture. But what makes this luxury treat so special? The answer lies in the quality of the ingredients used.


Belgian chocolate is made with only the finest cocoa beans. These beans are roasted to perfection and ground into a smooth paste. Then, they are combined with pure, fresh cream to create a decadent ganache. This mixture is then poured into molds and left to cool and harden.


The end result is a chocolate that is incomparable in taste and quality. If you've never tried Belgian chocolate, you're in for a real treat!


Different Types of Belgian Chocolates


There are many different types of Belgian chocolates, each with its own unique flavour and texture. Perhaps the most well-known type of Belgian chocolate is dark chocolate, which is made with a higher percentage of cocoa than milk or white chocolate. Dark chocolate has a rich, intense flavour that can be quite bitter. It is often used in baking or as an ingredient in other desserts.


Milk chocolate is the most popular type of chocolate in Belgium. It is made with milk, cocoa butter, and sugar. Milk chocolate has a sweet, creamy flavour and a smooth texture. It is often used in candy bars and other sweets.


White chocolate is made with cocoa butter, milk, and sugar. Unlike dark or milk chocolate, it does not contain any cocoa solids. White chocolate has a sweet, mellow flavour and a creamy texture. It is often used in baking or as an ingredient in other desserts.


Belgian chocolates come in many different shapes and sizes. They can be small disks called pralines, larger disks called tablets, or even bars of varying sizes. The most common shape for Belgian chocolates is the rectangular bar.


Final Thoughts on Why Belgian Chocolate Is So Special


Belgian chocolate is often called the best in the world, and for good reason. The country has a long history of producing high-quality chocolate, dating back to the early 1800s. Today, Belgium is home to some of the most renowned chocolatiers in the world, who create delicious and intricate confections using only the finest ingredients.


There are several factors that make Belgian chocolate so special. First, Belgium has ideal growing conditions for cacao trees. The country's climate is warm and humid, with plenty of rainfall – all of which helps to produce rich, flavourful cacao beans. Second, Belgium has strict quality standards for its chocolate products. In order to be classified as Belgian chocolate, a product must contain at least 35% cocoa solids – meaning that it contains a higher percentage of cocoa than other types of chocolate. This gives Belgian chocolate its signature deep flavour and smooth texture.


Finally, Belgian chocolate makers use traditional techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation. These artisans take great care in creating their products, ensuring that each one is perfect before it leaves the kitchen. It's this attention to detail – combined with high-quality ingredients and unique flavours – that makes Belgian chocolate so special.

If you did not know, Linoui crafts all of its French Delights with 100% pure cocoa butter Belgian chocolates.

A Taste of Luxury: What Makes Belgian Chocolate So Special? (2024)

FAQs

A Taste of Luxury: What Makes Belgian Chocolate So Special? ›

The answer lies in the quality of the ingredients used. Belgian chocolate is made with only the finest cocoa beans. These beans are roasted to perfection and ground into a smooth paste. Then, they are combined with pure, fresh cream to create a decadent ganache.

What is so special about Belgian chocolate? ›

Belgian chocolate is ground so fine that it has a structure of just 15 to 18 microns. High cocoa content. Belgian chocolate has a higher cocoa content than most international products. Pure cocoa butter.

What is the secret of Belgian chocolate? ›

The secret of Belgian chocolate lies in what goes into it, and the know-how of the Master Chocolatiers. Chocolate 'made in Belgium' is characterised by a higher chocolate content than in other countries. The minimum level is 43%. Plus, the chocolate has to be 100% pure cocoa butter, with no added vegetable fats.

Why is Belgian chocolate so expensive? ›

“Belgian chocolate is made with pure 100% cocoa butter”

Companies can substitute the expensive cocoa butter with cheaper fillers like vegetable oils and lecithin to keep production costs low, but any company can do this.

What distinguishes Belgian chocolate? ›

Because Belgian chocolate uses a high quantity of cocoa beans in their chocolate production process, they add less refined sugar to their chocolate offerings. Meanwhile, competing countries tend to use more sugar and lower quantities of cocoa beans, resulting in some taste differences.

What is the best chocolate in the world? ›

Top 10 Chocolate Brands From Around the World (2022-2023)
  • McGuire Chocolate (Canada) - Average Score 87.7.
  • BOHO Chocolate (United States) - Average Score 87.0.
  • SLOK Chocolate (Hong Kong) - Average Score 86.9.
  • Beau Cacao (France) - Average Score 85.6.
  • Pacari Chocolate (Ecuador) - Average Score 85.0.
Feb 2, 2024

Is Belgian chocolate worth it? ›

Belgian chocolate is widely renowned as the best chocolate in the world, a statement usually confirmed by anyone's taste as soon as the rich and velvety chocolate hits their lips.

What qualifies as Belgian chocolate? ›

“Belgian chocolate” is chocolate of which the complete process of mixing, refining and conching is done in Belgium. "In addition, Belgian chocolate is finely milled to 18 microns, below the feeling of the tongue's taste buds. This avoids having a grainy taste in the mouth when the chocolate melts on the tongue.

What is the Belgian chocolate code? ›

Under this "Belgian Chocolate Code", refining, mixing and concheing must be done inside Belgium. Controversy about what can legitimately be called "Belgian chocolate" has been fueled by some traditional Belgian chocolatiers being purchased by non-Belgian companies and even moving production out of Belgium.

Which chocolate is better Swiss or Belgian? ›

Ingredients: Belgian chocolate has a higher proportion of cocoa liquor to cocoa butter than Swiss chocolate, giving it a richer, more intense chocolate flavor. The Swiss also tend to use condensed milk in their chocolate, whereas Belgians use whole milk.

Is Belgian or French chocolate better? ›

French chocolates, especially artisanal kinds, are more nuanced and finer than Belgian and Swiss chocolates because of their delicate tastes in smaller-sized servings. As an example, French truffles usually weigh 10g compared to their counterparts across the globe that usually weigh 15g.

What is the flavor of Belgian chocolate? ›

Belgian milk chocolate for example has a classic milk flavor and not so much fruitiness or sourness you might find in other milk chocolate varieties. Belgian dark chocolate will have a classic fudge like earthy flavor and no sourness, fruitiness or lingering floral flavors usually.

What makes Belgian chocolate so unique? ›

The percentage of cocoa in Belgian chocolate is higher than that of chocolate produced elsewhere. In addition, Belgian chocolate contains 100% cocoa butter. In combination with the traditional fillings from Ovidias, this ensures a delicious taste experience when eating our Belgian chocolates.

What must a chocolate to be classified as a true Belgian chocolate? ›

In order for a chocolate to truly be considered “Belgian,” its production needs to occur within the country itself, although its ingredients may be foreign-sourced.

Is Lindt chocolate Belgian? ›

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG, doing business as Lindt, is a Swiss chocolatier and confectionery company founded in 1845 and known for its chocolate truffles and chocolate bars, among other sweets. It is based in Kilchberg, where its main factory and museum are located.

Which is better, Belgian or Swiss chocolate? ›

The Swiss chocolate has usually a smoother texture and would rather avoid using artificial emulsifiers. Swiss tend to produce milk chocolate, and in general they contain more sugar and less cocoa than Belgian chocolates, which are often dark. Belgian chocolatiers have a competitive advantage when it comes to pralines.

Is Belgian chocolate healthier? ›

Belgian dark chocolate is a powerful source of antioxidants because it is loaded with biologically active organic compounds that function as antioxidants, some of which include flavanols, catechins, and polyphenols.

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