Box O Chocolates - European Chocolate

European Chocolate

European chocolate is very different depending on what part of Europe it comes from. Different countries within Europe have different standards for making their chocolate.

Different Standards for European Chocolate

First of all, a little background. In France, there have been long-standing regulations that no vegetable oils or animal fats are allowed in the making of French chocolate. But in 2003, a court decided that chocolate could be made with up to 5% vegetable oil. Of course, the French were outraged. They say it's not real chocolate this way. Supporters of the ruling say it's cheaper to make chocolate using 5% vegetable oil, but French chocolate makers say consumers are willing to pay more for quality chocolate. And many would. But the ruling didn't state that European chocolate makers have to use 5% vegetable oil in their chocolate, it just made it okay--legally speaking--for them to do so. So the French can still make their chocolate the way they want--with no less than 43% cocoa butter and no vegetable oils or animal fats.

Different Types of European Chocolate

There are some well-known types of European chocolate and some less well-known kinds, and they are all different. Here's a breakdown:

Belgian chocolate - This kind of chocolate has a hard chocolate "shell" that houses many different flavors of softer centers.

Swiss chocolate - The Swiss are credited with inventing the first milk chocolate, and they're known for smooth, creamy textures.

Dutch chocolate - This is chocolate that has been alkalized to bring out more of the chocolate's flavor, make the color darker and make the taste less bitter.

German chocolate - Germany is the biggest exporter of European chocolate. One company is even famous for chocolates filled with liquor.

Most European chocolate is considered to be gourmet chocolate. In fact, many gourmet chocolate gifts are European. Maybe this is because it's imported, or maybe because the quality is perceived to be higher. It might sound crazy to some chocolate connoisseurs, but this writer would take a plain old Hershey bar (made in America) over European chocolates any day.

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