Godiva Chocolates

The Chocolate Connoisseur July 26th, 2007

A chocolatier named Joseph Draps created Godiva Chocolate more than 75 years ago. It was said that Draps used the name Godiva to honor the legendary Lady Godiva. The Godiva chocolates are decadent assortments of chocolates that are exquisitely handmade to create edible masterpieces. Some of the chocolate pieces are made by molding the chocolate, while others are coated by passing through a layer of flowing chocolate to cover an amazing mixture of goodness for the center of the chocolate. The practice at Godiva is to provide hand-decorated pieces of chocolate for chocolate fanciers. Skilled chocolate makers produce many tons of chocolates per day.

Marketing of Godiva Chocolates

The Godiva Chocolates are world known and enjoyed. The packaging for the Godiva brand is well recognized with its signature gold boxes referred to in the company as ballontins. The main manufacturer is located in Brussels, Belgium. The Godiva Chocolate Company does not make chocolate novelties such as heart shaped boxes or roses as it prides itself on producing and selling European style chocolates. In 1966 Godiva chocolates were introduced in the United States. There are approximately 200 Godiva stores throughout the United States and an additional 1000 outlets in major departments stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomindales. The second manufacturing plant is located in Pennsylvania. This plant supplies more than 3000 places throughout the North American market. Godiva chocolates are usually available in Duty Free stores in major airports around the world.
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Belgian Chocolate

The Chocolate Connoisseur March 9th, 2007

The words ‘Belgian chocolate’ bring a smile to people’s faces and make their taste buds salivate. Whether you add rich, dark, decadent chocolate to fresh fruits, cereal, bake with it, drink it or use it on pastries, there is nothing as delectable to a person’s taste buds as chocolate, especially Belgian Chocolate. Many believe that Belgian chocolate is the best gourmet chocolate in the world. Even the Swiss, known for their own excellent, high quality chocolate, originally imported the basic recipe from Belgian chefs.

Old world manufacturing techniques and high quality ingredients are what makes Belgian chocolate delicious and unique. Tourists visiting Belgium will find small chocolate shops that still make chocolates by hand using the original equipment. With their expertise and experience, Belgians have definitely perfected chocolate making.

Real chocolate lovers have eaten Belgian chocolate, and they know how luscious this chocolate tastes. Although expensive, pure Belgian chocolate, considered by many to be the best chocolate in the entire world, is definitely worth every penny. When biting into a quality Belgian chocolate, whether it is milk chocolate, dark chocolate or even white chocolate, a person immediately forgets about the cost and just enjoys the experience of eating the most delicious, incredible chocolate ever.

Belgium produces approximately 172,000 tons of luscious chocolates from over two thousand of the country’s Belgian chocolate outlets. People of all ages love the soothing, fabulous taste of Belgian chocolate and the perfect gift for almost anyone is a Belgian chocolate gift basket.

There are different flavors and varieties of chocolate, such as bitter or sweet chocolate and many wonderful fillings. On a romantic occasion, such as Valentines Day or a birthday, give your sweetheart a Belgian chocolate gift basket with heart-shaped and rose-shaped chocolates and a bottle of wine. Many shops have a great selection of Belgian chocolate gift baskets already made, with some even offering you the option of personally selecting the items you would like included in your basket.

A great dessert that you can make the day before and gives everyone his or her own individual serving is Belgian chocolate mousse.

Ingredients

· 4 ½ ounces finely chopped Belgian bittersweet chocolate
· 2 tablespoons strong coffee such as espresso
· 2 tablespoons or 1 ounce diced, unsalted butter
· 3 large eggs, separated
· 1 cup of cold, heavy cream
· 1 tablespoon sugar
· (Optional) Raspberries or strawberries and extra whipped cream

Whip the cream into soft peaks and place in the refrigerator. Over hot water, using a double boiler, combine butter, espresso and Belgian chocolate, stirring until smooth, remove and let this cool until it is just a little warmer than body temperature. Mix the egg whites until foamy, add sugar and beat, forming soft peaks. Stir the yolks into the warm chocolate mixture; add a third of the whipped cream, fold in the whites and the rest of the whipped cream. Spoon into individual dishes and refrigerate for eight hours.