http://www.boxochocolates.com/chocolate/belgian-chocolate.html Belgian chocolate: Tough on the outside, soft on the inside. Learn more about Belgian chocolate here. en-us Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 What makes Belgian chocolate so special? The praline filling! And the fact that most Belgian chocolates are made by hand. The History of Belgian Chocolate Belgian chocolate hasn't been around as long as you might think. But before we get into the creation of Belgian chocolates, we have to explain a little more about the history of chocolate with fillings. Prior to the invention of the praline, the centers of filled chocolates had to be relatively firm. But in 1917, Jean Neuhaus created a hard chocolate shell. This allowed for softer fillings--thus, the birth of the Belgian chocolate, also known as the praline. The hard outer shell protected softer fillings, which led to endless filling possibilities. Now you can find Belgian chocolate with a variety of centers, ranging from nearly liquid fillings (some even have alcohol fillings) to soft caramels to a ganache to thicker, yet still soft, fillings. You can even make an analogy of it. There are a lot of people with tough exteriors but big, soft hearts on the inside. A Belgian chocolate is just that--a tough exterior with a soft center. Many people consider Belgian chocolate to be the best in the world, but who's to say what the best chocolate is? Everyone's palate is different, so while one person may consider Belgian to be the best, another might think Swiss chocolate is the best, and yet another might think that French chocolate rules the roost. One thing is universal though--for whatever reason, most people associate European chocolate with gourmet chocolate. And it's for that reason that these make great gifts for the chocolate lover in your life. You do realize that chocolate gifts aren't just for lovers anymore, right? People are giving the gift of gourmet chocolate as birthday gifts, thank you gifts, Mother's Day gifts, anniversary gifts and of course the traditional Valentine's and Easter gifts. Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT