Belgian chocolate pralines

Life without chocolate is like a beach without water
Anonymous 

Switzerland or Belgium? Which of the two countries is the number one "chocolate super-power" in the world? Chocolate of outstanding quality is produced in both countries, but when it comes to choosing the most delicious cholocate pralines, my vote goes to Belgium.

It is true, that the Belgian chocolatiers in the nineteenth century borrowed techniques from their Swiss colleagues, but when they had learnt to master the techical problems, they went on to create some of the finest chocolate innovations, many of which have become known all over the world.

My own favourite among Belgian chocolatiers is Neuhaus, which was founded by the Swiss citizen Jean Neuhaus, who set up his store in Brussels in 1857. In 1912 his grandson, Jean Neuhaus Jr, invented the bite-sized filled chocolate , which he then named "praline". And the rest is chocolate history ....

Watch a nice video from 2007, the year Neuhaus celebrated its 150th anniversary (its in French, but you don´t have to speak French in order to enjoy it!):

Neuhaus, like its competitor Godiva, has stores in a great number of countries, but thanks to the internet you can also easily shop online.

If you plan to visit Brussels,  do not forget to include a visit to the Museum of Cocoa & Chocolate.