Pralines: What Is Unique About Belgian Chocolates?

Belgium should be proud.

When sharing a box of chocolates with friends and told to choose one only, how many times do we fear that we'll have the last choice and when our turn comes, we can't just make that selection? Fortunately, when it is a box of Belgian chocolates, any choice is always good. I have to say there are no gross Belgian chocolates; you can eat the entire box. Chocolate in its finest form, Belgian chocolates can be addictive.

LEONIDAS CHOCOLATE JEWELRY BOX

Belgium is one of the biggest producers of chocolate world-wide. It is especially famous for its pralines. Unlike in the USA where pralines consist of whole nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, pecans) individually coated in caramelized sugar, European pralines refer to the powder (or the paste made from it) resulting from grinding sugar-coated nuts which is then mixed with chocolate.

Belgian chocolates or chocolate bonbons are chocolate that contain this type of pralines … simplifying, in general, pralines may refer to filled-chocolate pieces and when you say chocolate, you're talking about the former, pralines.

Belgian pralines come in many forms and shapes like shells and stars, but it always consists of a hard chocolate shell with a soft filling. Pralines no longer just consist of the nutty paste, but fillings include delicious varieties including liqueurs, coffee, mocha, caramel, fudge, cream, butter, marzipan, other flavors (vanilla, orange, lemon, raspberry and more) … or even a different kind of chocolate.

 



Jean Neuhaus, a Swiss chocolatier, first introduced this method to the Belgian pralines in 1912. And today it has developed more making Belgian pralines very popular in so many countries. Most important manufacturers are Godiva, Leonidas and Guylian. Even small chocolate makers make for a popular tourist attraction in Belgium. It's all about the quality of ingredients and methods of manufacture. After all, the world's biggest known secret is that many of Belgium's chocolates are still hand-made.

Whichever piece you select, you will always get a wonderful and delicious surprise with every pop of pralines in your mouth. Those who have sampled Belgian chocolates say there is no comparison. As a gift or indulgence, Belgian chocolates live up to its reputation of quality!

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