Brussels, just an hour and half by train from Paris is well known as the Capital of Belgium, and also the Capital of Europe. However, Brussels is also well known around chocolate aficionados and true connoisseurs as being the World Capital of Chocolate. Why? the answer is very simple: there are a million residents and some 500 chocolatiers, about one chocolatier for every 2,000 people. The average Belgian consumes over 15 pounds of chocolate each year, one of the highest rates in the world.
But these days, the industry is changing. In Belgium, a new class of chocolatiers is finding innovative ways to hold on to the country’s chocolate crown. They are breaking ways from traditional pralines (classified by Belgian as any chocolate shell filled with a soft fondant centre) and infusing ganaches with exotic flavours such as wasabi, lemon verbena, passionfruit, and creating such imaginative pairings as blackcurrant and cardamon and raspberry and clove.
The saying “You have chocolate for tourists, and chocolate for Belgians,” couldn’t be more true. Below you’ll find a list of boutique chocolatiers you must visit while in Brussels.
– Alex & Alex, Rue de la Paille 32; (32-2) 476-612-345, alex-alex.eu. 57 euros, about $73 at $1.28 to the euro. Alex’Perience boxes, containing 12 pralines each, 6.30 to 8.50 euros.
– Frederic Blondeel Chocolatier, Quai aux Brix 24; (32-2) 502-21-31; frederic-blondeel.com. 500 grams, 29.50 euros.
– Godiva, Grand Sablon-Grote Savel 47/48; (32-2) 502-99-06; godiva.be. 57 euros.
– Laurent Gerbaud Chocolatier, Rue Ravenstein 2 D; (32-2) 511-16-02; chocolatsgerbaud.be. 70 euros.
– Leonidas, 41 Place du Grand Sablon; (32-2) 513-14-66; leonidas.com. 21.80 euros.
– Le St.-Aulaye, Rue Jean Chapelié 4; (32-2) 345-77-85; saintaulaye.be. 85 euros.
– Mary, Galerie de la Reine 36; (32-2) 511-39-59; mary.be. 62 euros.
– Neuhaus, Rue Lebeau 79; (32-2) 502-38-13; neuhaus.be. 55 euros.
– Passion, Grand Sablon; (32-2) 514-77-14 ; passionchocolat.be. 56 euros.
– Pure, Rue de Rollebeek 48; (32-2) 502-16-34. 44 euros.
– Pierre Marcolini, Rue des Minimes 1; (32-2) 514-12-06; marcolini.be. 79 euros.
– Wittamer, Place du Grand Sablon 6; (32-2) 546 11 10; wittamer.com. 74 euros.
– Zaabär, Chaussée de Charleroi 125; (32-2) 533-95-80; zaabar.be. Truffles, 7.50 euros for 125 grams.
Are you going to Brussels? contact your luxury concierge Pure Conciergerie to arrange a travel package with accommodation, dining, exclusive tours and more.
Via The New York Times by Amy M. Thomas
Pictures credits John Fistick for The New York Times
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Brussels, just an hour and half by train from Paris is well known as the Capital of Belgium, and also the Capital of Europe. However, Brussels is also well known around chocolate aficionados and true connoisseurs as being the World Capital of Chocolate. Why? the answer is very simple: there are a million residents and some 500 chocolatiers, about one chocolatier for every 2,000 people. The average Belgian consumes over 15 pounds of chocolate each year, one of the highest rates in the world.
But these days, the industry is changing. In Belgium, a new class of chocolatiers is finding innovative ways to hold on to the country’s chocolate crown. They are breaking ways from traditional pralines (classified by Belgian as any chocolate shell filled with a soft fondant centre) and infusing ganaches with exotic flavours such as wasabi, lemon verbena, passionfruit, and creating such imaginative pairings as blackcurrant and cardamon and raspberry and clove.
The saying “You have chocolate for tourists, and chocolate for Belgians,” couldn’t be more true. Below you’ll find a list of boutique chocolatiers you must visit while in Brussels.
– Alex & Alex, Rue de la Paille 32; (32-2) 476-612-345, alex-alex.eu. 57 euros, about $73 at $1.28 to the euro. Alex’Perience boxes, containing 12 pralines each, 6.30 to 8.50 euros.
– Frederic Blondeel Chocolatier, Quai aux Brix 24; (32-2) 502-21-31; frederic-blondeel.com. 500 grams, 29.50 euros.
– Godiva, Grand Sablon-Grote Savel 47/48; (32-2) 502-99-06; godiva.be. 57 euros.
– Laurent Gerbaud Chocolatier, Rue Ravenstein 2 D; (32-2) 511-16-02; chocolatsgerbaud.be. 70 euros.
– Leonidas, 41 Place du Grand Sablon; (32-2) 513-14-66; leonidas.com. 21.80 euros.
– Le St.-Aulaye, Rue Jean Chapelié 4; (32-2) 345-77-85; saintaulaye.be. 85 euros.
– Mary, Galerie de la Reine 36; (32-2) 511-39-59; mary.be. 62 euros.
– Neuhaus, Rue Lebeau 79; (32-2) 502-38-13; neuhaus.be. 55 euros.
– Passion, Grand Sablon; (32-2) 514-77-14 ; passionchocolat.be. 56 euros.
– Pure, Rue de Rollebeek 48; (32-2) 502-16-34. 44 euros.
– Pierre Marcolini, Rue des Minimes 1; (32-2) 514-12-06; marcolini.be. 79 euros.
– Wittamer, Place du Grand Sablon 6; (32-2) 546 11 10; wittamer.com. 74 euros.
– Zaabär, Chaussée de Charleroi 125; (32-2) 533-95-80; zaabar.be. Truffles, 7.50 euros for 125 grams.
Are you going to Brussels? contact your luxury concierge Pure Conciergerie to arrange a travel package with accommodation, dining, exclusive tours and more.
Via The New York Times by Amy M. Thomas
Pictures credits John Fistick for The New York Times