Belgium for Chocolate Lovers
A Chocolate Superpower
Belgium is one of the smallest countries in Europe, which doesn't stop it from being a global chocolate superpower.
Belgian chocolate began as a delicacy for royalty and the wealthy, but quickly became a popular treat for the masses.
Belgian pralines were invented in Brussels in 1912 by Jean Neuhaus (who was of Swiss descent). An industry with 400 years of history!
Today, Belgium produces about 660,000 tons of chocolate per year, sold in more than 2,000 shops across the country.
Every year, Belgium exports over 400,000 tons of chocolate, bringing in more than 4 billion euros annually!
8.5 percent of Belgians work in the chocolate industry. The Flanders region is known as the "Chocolate Capital" of the world.
Belgians themselves are considered among the highest chocolate consumers in the world: 6 kilograms per person. They know what's good...
Belgians use only cocoa butter to make their chocolate, unlike other countries that substitute part of the cocoa butter with other vegetable fats. This is one of the reasons for its wonderful taste and superior quality.
There is not a single city or town in Belgium without at least one high-quality chocolate shop. To this day, many chocolatiers still make pralines by hand.
♦ Recommended Chocolate Tasting Tours in Brussels:
Chocolate Shops
Among the most famous brands (with branches in many countries worldwide) are: Leonidas, Godiva, Neuhaus, Côte d’Or, and Marcolini.
The chocolate shops considered the best in Bruges are:
Pralinette and Sukerbuyc, and in Antwerp: G-Bastin and Hans Burie.
Of course, Brussels has many top-tier shops, such as:
Chocolat Manon, Debailleul, and Mary Chocolatier.
Chocolate addicts will get intoxicated just from the aroma...
Surprisingly, the shop at Brussels National Airport is considered the largest chocolate retail point in the world! They sell 2 tons of chocolate every day.
The world's largest chocolate factory is also located in Belgium: in the village of Wieze in East Flanders. The factory belongs to the Barry Callebaut Group and produces about 270,000 tons per year.
Tours, Workshops, Museums, and Chocolate Festivals
In many places across Belgium, you can watch chocolate-making demonstrations, take chocolate tasting tours, or visit chocolate museums that tell the story of this wonderful sweet creation.
The largest chocolate museum in Belgium is:
Chocolate Nation in Antwerp:
In the museum, which features 14 themed rooms, a 60–90 minute tour follows the chocolate production process starting from the cocoa beans at the equator, through the Port of Antwerp with the world's largest cocoa warehouse, and up to a giant machine demonstrating the creation of velvety chocolate. During the tour, you sample plenty of top-quality Belgian chocolate. The museum also hosts chocolate-making workshops and features a lovely chocolate shop and restaurant. A must-visit destination for chocolate lovers!
Address: Koningin Astridplein 7, Antwerp 2018 Belgium
Every year, chocolate festivals are also held in the country. The most famous of all takes place in Brussels: "Le Salon du Chocolat" in February. In Bruges, the local chocolatiers' guild (VZW DE BRUGSE CHOCOLADE GILDE) organizes a festival called "Bruges in Choc" in February.
And for those who love good food—not just chocolate—know that Belgium is renowned for its culinary excellence and the outstanding beers it produces. The country boasts more than 1,000 types of local beers.
It is often said that Belgian food is served in German portions with French quality. Even those not seeking gourmet dining will find wonderful Belgian fries and melt-in-your-mouth waffles on every street corner.