Category: Dessert Recipes

The Chocolatey World Of Belgian Seashell Chocolates

Believe it or not chocolates are good for your health. There have been studies that were conducted by major research institutes that people who constantly eat chocolates have a longer life span than those who dont usually eat them. Chocolates are also filled with antioxidants that fights off cancer, cardiovascular diseases, thwarts off strokes, and lowers down blood pressure. Chocolate also has large amounts of iron and magnesium.

Other than its health benefits, chocolates can make you feel much better in a more legal and tasty way compared to alcoholic beverages and medications. The ingestion of chocolates induces the release of hormones called endorphins which promotes a state of happiness or a feel-good emotional experience.

Chocolates are also believed to be an aphrodisiac. It has been so since the time of the Mayan and Aztec civilizations in South America. It is believed that ingestion of chocolates stimulates sexual energy and consequently makes people fertile. It is also said to relieve exhaustion because of its nutritional aspects. Energy bars of athletes are mostly chocolates mixed with another substance for energy enhancement.

The team up of chocolate’s health benefits with the best chocolate confection the world, Belgian chocolates, then there may be no more stopping for people who are still skeptics of the chocolate magic that has been driving people crazy since it’s coming to European shores.

With chocolates, nothing beats the Belgians in making this sweet taste of heaven make its way to salivating chocolate crazy individuals. Belgian chocolates are deemed to be the alpha male of all chocolates. Even its rival Swiss counterparts bow to its gastronomical powers. The distinctive factor of Belgian chocolates that makes it outstanding is the excellent quality of the ingredients and the perfect chocolate making techniques that has been refined through the centuries.

Belgian chocolates come in many shapes in sizes. One of the preferred forms of Belgian chocolates is the seashell shaped ones. After all, a seashell is a symbol of many positive things in life. Seashells are thought to be gifts from the ocean. With its various shapes and forms, it is the symbol of uniqueness and beauty. One great symbolism of the seashell is created by Boticelli in one of his artistic creations. In his painting of “The Birth of Venus”, the seashell is depicted as the vessel of beauty, rebirth, love, and godly attributes to the earth.

Therefore, seashell shaped Belgian chocolates are perfect for symbolizing the chocolate’s representation of heavenly experience of a sweet filling wrapped in a beautiful chocolate shell or praline. One bite will surely bring you to the heavens.

With the Belgian seashell chocolate’s rich in symbolism, it has become a popular item for gifts to loved ones. As gifts, packages for these chocolates should also be perfect. With the finesse of Belgian craftsmanship, chocolates are made of excellent materials which include top notch delicious fruits, high quality chocolate, and natural vanilla. Artificial flavoring, which is common among inferior types if chocolates, is never included in the ingredients of Belgian chocolates.

In the quest for Belgian seashell chocolates, do not just opt for ones that are sold in supermarkets that claims to be made by the use of Belgian techniques of chocolate making. The most likely that you will be having a taste of real Belgian chocolates is in Belgium. There are no other places here on this planet where you can perfectly eat Belgian chocolates. Plus, with the country’s fine tourist destinations, Belgian chocolates, especially the seashell shaped ones, are the perfect snack as you go on sightseeing in the beautiful country of Belgium.

The Journey of the Belgian Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate is a delicious drink that is a cocktail of cocoa powder or chocolate, sugar, and milk. This toothsome beverage can be traced back to the Mayan and Aztec civilizations in which they consumed their chocolate drinks made from roasted cocoa seeds mixed with spices like chili and achiote or annatto. The chocolate beverage was not only enjoyed but was also revered. Unfortunately, not everyone has the honor to drink chocolates during those times, only the members of the upperclass can drink it.

Chocolate was thought to be helpful in relieving exhaustion and was associated with fertility. The cocoa beans were also used by these old civilizations as currencies.

But the chocolate mixture during the old times is not as delicious as todays. When European settlers came to the south Americas, they even found the drink a bit repulsive. Even when Christopher Columbus has returned to Europe and brought with him cocoa beans from his travels to the New World; the chocolate was still a bit ignored.

It was only the time when a certain Hernan Cortez visited Mexico in the year 1517 when chocolate is beginning to make its way to the world. Cortez then met the Aztec Emperor, Moctezuma, and was introduced to some of the emperors traditions and activities. One of which is his favorite beverage, the chocolate. The emperor served Cortez the chocolate drink in a goblet made of gold, which was very impressive. The chocolate of the emperor was then a mixture of powdered cocoa beans, vanilla, spices, and honey.

The ritual must have impressed Cortez that he brought a lot of cocoa beans back to his native Spain. He also brought with him equipments for making chocolate beverages. The Spaniards kept the recipe a secret for a long time that it was only after one hundred years that the beverage became very popular in Europe.

When chocolates found its way to Belgium, it was like a match made in heaven! Belgians are known for their exquisite cuisine that is at par with the French. They even claim that their food is cooked in the way of the French but served generously like those of the Germans.

The Belgians have their own way of making chocolates. Through the years, they have honed their skills and perfected the manufacturing of chocolates of the best quality. In this perfection of this delicacy, it is easy to assume that chocolates are to Belgians as electronics gadgets are to Japan.

There are a number of varieties of Belgian hot chocolates to choose from and all seem to send the drinkers to paradise. From the moment the lips touch the cup and smell the aroma of the beverage, you will already feel the essence of the beverage being absorbed in your body. As you taste it a little you know that youll crave for more except that it will burn your tongue if you drink it in one gulp. Consequently, slowly consuming it is what makes it more pleasurable! And the perfect aftertaste that is like no other hot chocolate you can find anywhere else in the world.

No wonder that chocolate lovers seem to salivate more than the usual every time they here the word Belgium. Probably daydreaming of gargling and finally drinking all the Belgian hot chocolate they can gather up when they get the chance to visit the land of chocolates.

More than a Trifling Experience of Belgian Chocolate Truffles

A chocolate truffle is a collection of chocolate sweets. This mouth watering confection us usually made with a round ganache of chocolate core covered with a powdered cocoa or chocolate. It is actually named after the truffle fungus because of their physical similarities.

A ganache is a French term which refers to the concoction of heavy cream and chocolate. It is usually produced from cream of heavy consistency which is boiled and then dispensing it on top of chopped up chocolate. This concoction is mixed until it finally is perfectly smooth. The ratio and proportion of the ganache will vary depending on the kind of chocolate the chocolatier wants. For truffles, the usual ratio is two parts of chocolates is to one part of cream.

There are basically four kinds of chocolate truffles that have been circulating the chocolate world. These three are the Swiss truffle, European truffle, American Truffle, and the Belgian truffle.

The Swiss truffle is produced from the combination of chocolate and a boiling concoction of butter and dairy cream. This mixture is then gradually transferred into casts for setting. Eventually cocoa powder is sprinkled unto the chocolate casts. The Swiss truffle should be eaten up within days of production since it has a short shelf-life.

American truffles are shaped like half an egg which is covered with chocolate. It is a combination of milk or dark chocolates with coconut oil that is hardened and butterfat. The Canadians also has their own version which includes the additional ingredients of peanut butter and graham crumbs.

European truffles is created from a base made from powdered cocoa, powdered milk, and fats as well as syrup which then results to a palatable truffle which has oil-in-water essence.

Finally, the Belgian truffle is a produced from Belgian chocolate and ganache. The ganache may be mixed with certain liquors and essences. Mixtures of truffles are formed into long strands or balls, covered with powdered cocoa, dipped with icing. The Belgian chocolate truffles, compared to its Swiss counterpart, are richer in chocolate and are less sweet. It is considered as the best type of chocolate truffle in the world of chocolates.

Belgian truffles are easy to make even for neophyte chocolatiers. You only need the following ingredients to start with: cooking chocolate, sifted instant coffee, egg yolk, sifted sugar icing, and unsalted butter.

To make the truffles, break down the chocolate into small pieces and melt it in a pot. The pot should be heated by a bigger pot filled with boiling water. This is called the au-bain-Marie method. Then add up the butter and mix it until it melts. Next, do away with the chocolate and butter combination pot then mix in the egg yolk, icing sugar, coffee and then let this mixture chill down. Check the mixture from time to time to ensure that it will not become very hard.

Then, when the chocolate seems a little solid, scoop a teaspoonful and shape it into balls. You can roll it in your hands to get that rounded effect.

As for the covering, combine the powdered cocoa and the sugar icing in a mixing bowl. Then sprinkle it unto the balls of chocolate you have made.

The truffles should be then stored in the fridge for a longer shelf life.

So, you can either make your own truffle or travel to Belgium to buy the famed truffles yourself. Plus, you even go on a sight seeing adventure while munching on the truffles as you travel.

The Reasons Why You Should Start a Belgian Chocolate Store

The Reasons Why You Should Start a Belgian Chocolate Store

Many people today are now starting their own small business in order to have more freedom and also to earn more money. However, you have to consider that not all small businesses are successful. This is because owners of unsuccessful businesses failed to study what most people want and what the demands are in the market today. Sometimes, entrepreneurs have the right idea but the wrong product to sell in their business.

So, before you start any your own small business, you have to consider what your consumers want in order to make your business a success.

To give you an idea on what kind of business is ideal, you have to think of an item or a food that people really loves and one that never grows old. One such food idea is called chocolates. You have to admit the fact that a lot of people loves to eat chocolate. Even dieting people loves eating chocolate and they openly admit that they even cheated at least once on their diet by sneaking in the kitchen in the middle of the night just to eat chocolates.

So, if you are planning to put up a store, you should consider selling chocolate products in order to satisfy the cravings of your potential clients. Since chocolates are very popular all over the world, you can be sure that you will never run out of enthusiastic clients.

However, you have to remember that people are also very picky about what kind of chocolates they want. First of all you have to consider the fact that cheap chocolates dont give the taste that people always look for in a chocolate. This is why you should consider selling only the finest chocolates in order for your chocolate store to be always frequented by chocolate enthusiasts. Always remember that cheap chocolates will never make you successful.

One kind of fine chocolates is Belgian chocolates. You have to consider that Belgium produces one of the finest chocolates in the world. If you yourself love chocolate, you may have heard of Godiva and Callebaut chocolates. These chocolates are Belgian chocolates, and if you know your chocolates, you will know that Godiva and Callebaut are definitely the finest chocolates in the world.

Although fine chocolates from Belgium are on the expensive side, you can always buy them in bulk to save money and order online to enjoy additional discounts and promos. You also have to consider the fact that if you sell only the finest tasting chocolates, you can be sure that your store will be frequented by chocolate lovers.

However, you dont have to exclusively sell Belgian chocolates. You can also provide cheaper and locally made chocolates in order for people who cannot afford to purchase fine chocolates. There are also cheaper brands of Belgian chocolates that you can consider. You have to remember that you should always keep the price as low as possible in order for you to get a lot of profits and also a lot of customers. Always remember that just because it’s Belgian doesnt mean that you have to mark up the price a lot.

To attract and keep customers, always price your Belgian chocolates reasonably. These are some of the things you have to remember when you are planning to put up a chocolate store with Belgian chocolates as your products.

Pure Belgian Chocolate: Providing You with the Highest Quality Chocolates

Pure Belgian Chocolate: Providing You with the Highest Quality Chocolates

It is a fact that chocolates are well-loved by people. In fact, since Columbus’ discovery of chocolate in the Americas, it was used by the ancient Aztecs as a sacred drink. Chocolate was held so valuable that it was used by the Aztecs to trade it for their gold. It was even part of the Aztecs’ monetary system.

Up until today, chocolates are still considered as the best candy in the world. In scientific forms, chocolates have been found to be a natural high blood pressure medicine. Research has found that it decreases the risk of high blood pressure and it also keeps your heart healthy by keeping the normal flow of blood going.

Some people even claimed that chocolates are a great antidepressant food. People have claimed that after a bite of chocolate, depressed people instantly smiled. This is why chocolate is also regarded as the “happy food”. Indeed, chocolates are very irresistible to eat. Diet fanatics even confessed that they cheated on their strict diet by eating chocolates during the duration of their dieting. They even said that chocolates were their number one enemy and that they always lost. They said that they would sneak to the kitchen in the middle of the night just to have a bite of chocolate.

This is why chocolates were also nicknamed as the guilty pleasure food.

First of all, after its discovery and introduction to civilization, people just became hooked into chocolates. In fact, many aristocrats and royalties all over the world cherish chocolates and some monarchy has been found that they kept stashes of chocolates in palaces. You also need to consider that chocolates were held so valuable that many countries have perfected the recipe and kept it a secret for a very long time.

One country that perfected the craft in chocolate manufacturing is Belgium. If you are a chocolate lover, there is a great chance that you have eaten Belgian chocolate before. If Godiva and Callebaut sound familiar, then you know your Belgian chocolates. If you have tasted pure Belgian chocolates before, you know how delicious it can be and you know that you can never get enough of Belgian chocolates.

There are pure Belgian chocolates available in the market today. You have to consider that these chocolates are made of premium quality cocoa beans from the south. Belgians have been making chocolates for centuries and because of this experience and expertise, they have perfected the recipe for having the best tasting chocolates in the world.

You can order pure Belgian chocolates. Although it may be priced expensively, you have to consider that once you have tasted one, you will surely ask for more and say that it’s worth every penny. Some people who have tasted pure Belgian chocolates said that they felt like floating after tasting the chocolate. You have to consider that this is because of the chemical property that chocolates have. It will make you feel euphoric and as mentioned before, it is described as the “happy food”. Combined with the Belgian secret recipe for manufacturing chocolates, you can definitely be sure that you will taste a one-of-a-kind chocolate that will make you ask for more.

Whether you want to make chocolate delicacies, or you simply want to eat pure chocolate, pure Belgian chocolate should be your choice. It will make any chocolate delicacies taste far greater than ever before.