http://www.boxochocolates.com/chocolate/french-chocolate.html French chocolate is one of the fine European chocolates. On this page, we'll explain what makes French chocolate different from any other chocolate. en-us Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 You've heard of vanilla, and probably French vanilla. To most of us, those taste the same. But this site isn't about vanilla, it's about chocolate. So there's chocolate, there's Swiss chocolate, Belgian chocolate, Dutch chocolate, German chocolate and French chocolate. All of these are delicious, but what's so special about each one of them? We explore the various types of chocolate on other pages on this site, but on this page we'll explore why French chocolate is so special. (Here's a hint: Basically, it's the way it's made.) How French Chocolate is Made French chocolate is made using a blend of different cocoa beans from different cocoa bean growing regions. Some of the best French chocolate is made using a blend of four cocoa beans. Kinda sounds like coffee, doesn't it? But it's not only the beans that make a difference. The French have regulations about the way their chocolate is made. For one thing, they can't use animal or vegetable fat. In addition, French chocolate cannot be made with less than 43% cocoa butter. In fact, some of the finest French chocolates are made with 80% cocoa butter. This gives it a very smooth texture, and the combination of different cocoa beans gives it a unique flavor. French Chocolate Gifts Although French chocolate is a treat you can give yourself, why not give the gift of French chocolates? What chocolate lover wouldn't enjoy the creamy texture and unique flavors that all the cocoa butter and different beans give? It's gourmet chocolate at its finest, and if gives other European chocolate a run for the money. Sure, Belgian and Swiss chocolates make fine gifts, but each of those is famous for their own unique reasons. They are both good, but for different reasons. And they definitely aren't alike. Maybe the best idea would be to give a small box of each different kind so your chocolate lover can compare and decide for himself or herself. It's the international git of chocolate! Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT