The origin of this delectable confection traces its roots to Central and South America, where the cacao beans were first grown. The native Aztecs in modern-day Mexico and other civilizations in the area drank chocolate mixed with chilies and achiote called “xocotatl” (bitter water) or “chocolatl” (hot water). Cacao beans were so valuable among the Aztecs that it was even used as tax payments. It was Chris...

Apart from Easter Eggs, the one thing that kids and the young-at-heart excite about Easter is the chocolate, especially the ones shaped like eggs. These are usually given as gifts to close friends and relatives, but do you have an idea how this practice started? Although Easter is a Christian celebration commemorating how Jesus was resurrected from the dead, the traditions surrounding the holiday are pagan in orig...

If there is one chocolatier that represents Belgian Chocolate, it is definitely Leonidas. The company, Leonidas Conifeserie SA, was founded by Leonidas Kestekides, a Greek confectioner who moved to the United States in the late 1800s. Kestekides traveled to France in 1900 to participate in the international food fair as an exhibitor. Ten years later, he represented Greece in the World Fair held in Brussels, the c...

Belgium is one of the few countries in the world known for its delectable fine chocolate. How this small country become home of some of the best chocolatiers, however, is not so sweet. It began in the 1880s, when Belgium was ruled by King Leopold II. He laid the foundations in controlling the Congo Free State (present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo) in Africa that provided easy access to the vast cocoa grou...

We may have heard about the finest chocolates in Europe, but do you know that there are also great chocolates that are found in good ol’ USA? The popular periodical USA Today has compiled a list of 10 places across the mainland where you can have the finest chocolates you can either give to your loved ones or savor for yourself. John & Kira’s Chocolates Philadelphia At first glances, their chocolat...

Of course, you cannot just empty a whole box of fine chocolate in just one sitting. This is why you need to know how to store your fine treats to avoid sacrificing its flavor and color. You do not want to see your chocolates with gray spots once you open them for the second time. Where to store – Place your chocolate in a cool, dry, and dark place. The storage place has to be cool enough not to soften the choc...

We may have heard about the rules in tasting wine, but do you know that tasting the finest chocolates also follow certain protocols? Because fine chocolates are made with the finest ingredients, tasters can better appreciate their sweet treats if they follow these tasting tips, as suggested master chocolatiers. Look at the chocolate – Check each chocolate piece and esteem its appearance. The finest of chocolate...

There are many kinds of chocolate available in the market, but how can we tell fine chocolate from sub-standard ones? The best way to know is to check the labels and read the ingredients. Fine chocolate should contain a standardized set of ingredients, which should never be substituted but can be left out. Dark chocolate – Its main ingredients should contain cacao liquor, sugar, cacao butter, lecithin, and vani...

Max Brenner is probably one of the most recognizable names when it comes to fine chocolate making. It started in 1996 when Max Fichtman and Oded Brenner joined together to form Max Brenner and opened its first store in Israel. Three years later, it added nine other stores which showed the interest that even people in the Holy Land may have for chocolate. This love of chocolate went international as Max Bren...

Teuscher of Switzerland is known as one of the finest chocolatiers in the world. Its chocolates have been praised by many chocolate lovers from all over the world. Its well-loved chocolate collection have benefited from 70 years of chocolate making expertise. Teuscher Chocolates started out in a small town in the Swiss Alps sometime in 1932. Dolf Teuscher embarked on trying to create chocolate confections that wer...