# Belgian Chocolate - Handcrafted Sweet Perfection

How many times maybe you have stared at those exquisitely crafted sea shells poking out of a package? Along with, the design and the facts often make one wonder whether it's truly something edible or is it merely a show-piece.

But are you aware the annals behind Belgian chocolates? Have you any idea that many Belgian chocolates are handcrafted? Have you any idea just how many tons of chocolates are exported from Belgium each year? If you may not, then go ahead and find out about a number of the interesting factual statements about chocolate, how made it happen all start and what is it today?

Chocolates were discovered as early since the 15th century, drank as a bitter concoction and considered to be a remedy for diseases (Yeah! Wish chocolates could cure ailments; no body might have shied from medicines).

At one point of time cocoa was considered sacred.

In past cocoa seeds were roasted, grinded, combined with spices and changed to a bitter drink. It is said that only the affluent could afford it.


Many used cocoa seeds to purchase gold in those days.

Adding sugar to the erstwhile bitter drink was an amendment that originated in the European nobles, laying the path that eventually took the confectionery world by storm.

Chocolate was introduced to the Belgians in the early 1900s. What they made out of it's now history.

The uniqueness in Belgian chocolates is in the creation of "praline ".Praline could be the chocolate shell filled up with soft milk chocolate that melts in the mouth. The praline was then given the design of shells, which was hand-crafted to attain perfection.

The praline being very soft, packaging was introduced for the chocolate shells which came into existence known as "ballotin ".So these special chocolates came into existence known as "ballotin de praline ".The wonderful chocolate, the eye-catching packaging made these chocolates great **[sweet gifts](https://mysweetgifts.co.uk/)** since then.

Even today many chocolate makers create the pralines by hand in Belgium.

Belgium produces over 170 thousand tons of chocolates every year.

Today Belgian chocolates might have nut covers, liqueur filling, chocolates filling, and crispy shells.

If you're planing a trip to Belgium, know that there are a number of chocolate events that take place through the year. From sampling chocolates free of charge to getting valuable insight in to the manufacturing process, Belgium has over time turn into a chocolate connoisseurs'heaven.

The most crucial ingredient that produces Belgian chocolates so delightful could be the careful collection of the cocoa beans, which are the best possible in the world. Usually the cocoa seeds are still hand picked since the legend goes.

The rest of the ingredients may also be chosen with great care.

Today Belgian chocolate industry is really a multi-billion dollar industry. Obtainable in almost everywhere all over the world, some authentic Belgium chocolates and some less so, if you are a chocolate lover then getting to know the darker side of life; the Belgian chocolate is really a must.