Chocolates From Around the World

!±8± Chocolates From Around the World

Chocolates from around the world vary in taste, flavor, and potency depending on their country of origin. Below are the top chocolates in the world, by country.

Mexican chocolate
Mexico is the birth place of chocolate, from the drink "chocolatl," a luxurious drink which was available as early as 400 AD. The drink was made from liquefied cocoa beans, spiked with chili pepper, vanilla, and annatto. Today, chocolate is a staple and highly valued commodity for Mexicans, and is most often made to a hot drink. In fact, hot chocolate is considered the national drink of Mexico and almost everyone in the county drink it every day, flavored with some pepper and spices.

Spanish chocolate
Chocolate was introduced in Spain during the 16th century by Hernán Cortés Pizarro, who discovered it from the Emperor of Mexico while having breakfast with him. For almost a centrury, the Spanish kept "chocolatl" a secret from the rest of Europe and only the royal family and the well-connected had access to this richly delicious drink. To increase its deliciousness, the Spanish added cane sugar to it. Today, Spaniards prefer theirs as a hot drink that is thick and creamy, flavored with cinnamon, and served together with churros. Popular Spanish products include Chocovic and Choclates Valor.

English chocolate
The first ever chocolate house was opened in London during the 17th century. Hans Sloane, a physician, concocted a milk chocolate drink, which soon became popular to those who could afford it (During that time, it was expensive and only the rich could afford to buy). Today, there are many English chocolate widely recognized by consumers all over the world, including Cadbury, Green & Black's, Divine Chocolate, and J.S. Fry & Sons, Ltd.

U.S. chocolate
The U.S. is one of the biggest producers and distributors in the world. Chocolate production in the U.S. boomed during the Industrial era with the first factory opening in 1765. It was also used by the U.S. Military as an emergency ration and was made part of the diet of U.S. astronauts. Hershey's is one of the most widely known U.S. Brand.

French chocolate
Chocolate did not get a warm welcome in the French market when it was first introduced during the sixteenth century. The French referred to it as a "noxious drug" and a "barbarous product." But it was the wife of King Louis XIV, Maria Theresa of Austria who shared her love of chocolate to the French people. Today, some of the top quality chocolates in the world are produced and manufactured in France such as Chocolat Bonnat, Valrhona, La Maison du Chocolat, and Jean-Paul Hevin.

Swiss chocolate
Swiss chocolate is one of the main products of Switzerland and is internationally recognized for its high standards and excellent quality ingredients, particularly cocoa butter. It is a way of life in this country, with its people setting a world record of approximately consuming one bar for every person of everyday of the year.

Belgian chocolate
It is the gourmet standard of chocolate and is considered by many to be the best typ in the world, especially their dark chocolate. There are more than 2,000 shops in Belgium that offer handmade chocolates, and there are also a number of chocolate museums.

Chocolates From Around the World

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World's Most Expensive Chocolates

!±8± World's Most Expensive Chocolates

Ludicrous as it may seem, here's some truly fascinating facts for you to savor as you reward yourself with your next bar of chocolate...

Chocolate may be an aphrodisiac, but it is also a $$$moneymaker!
(according to Forbes Magazine)

You might enjoy knowing what Forbes Magazine considers to be the world's most expensive and most likely, least affordable chocolates. Forbes featured a fascinating article on the poshest brands...ones that likely sprinkle gold dust into their cocoa...well, lots of it! So before you think of purchasing you might better find your gold so that you can afford to pursue a pound, or merely a trifle...(or should I say truffle)!

Knipschilt Chocolates certainly leads the bunch, when it comes to price. Featured top of the list by Forbes Magazine, it's the CROWN JEWEL CONFECTION of the world: a striking 00 per pound!

Obviously, this is the one special Truffle truly fit for Royalty...

Fritz Knipschildt, from Denmark, and Maitre Chocolatier, of Knipschildt Chocolatier (founded in 1999 and awarded top honors as one of 3 best chocolatiers in the world by Gourmet Magazine) created the 42-gram (1.5 ounce) gem of a confection. This ultra sweet indulgence is handcrafted using a dark, classic ganache.

The ganache is made using French Valrhona Chocolate blended with fresh cream that has been infused for 24 hours with the flavor of vanilla pods and pure Italian truffle oil.

The ganache is then shaped around a French Perigord Truffle, known also as French black truffle (this truffle alone costs up to ,000 per pound-454 grams). Next it is dipped in a 70% cocao-rich French Valrhona dark chocolate, and is finally dusted in cocoa powder.

What really makes the "Madeleine" Truffle so exquisite is the time and energy that goes into it. The ganache, for example, must be whipped repeatedly to make it as soft and silky as possible, and then it must be chilled so that it's easier to work with. It's a long and painstaking process, and for all its intensive labor...undoubtedly a labor of love...is revealed a flavor that is so ultimately tantalizing, each savory moment upon the palate, is worthy of every dime.

Each delicate truffle is ultimately packaged as if it were a jewel, placed within a silver jewelry box. Before which, the truffle is placed inside of a pouch similar to the ones diamonds are transported in. This pouch is, set inside its silver home, nestled comfortably within red satin, tied in edible sugar pearls, and adorned with a ribbon. Added to each exquisite gift: a personal note from Fritz himself, that includes a number to let the buyer know that he is the proud owner of a limited edition jewel of a chocolate truffle.

Madeleine truffles are very, very special and cannot be ordered over the counter. To order one of these extravagant confections they must be special ordered about 2 weeks ahead of time.

Moving right along...

For a much less decadent, but still mightily expensive option (and also on Forbes most expensive list), the very upscale cacao beans used by fine chocolate artisan Chuao Chocolatier would still take a hefty bank roll to purchase.

The Cost: .00 per pound

Chuao Chocolatier, named after the cacao-producing region of Chuao, Venezuela, uses European techniques to make their Venezuelan chocolate. Only fresh ingredients are used, and absolutely no preservatives are allowed in these handmade chocolates. These chocolates are single origin in nature, in that they reflect the specific and very delicate nuances of the region where the bean is grown. This is because no beans from any other region are blended in to homogenize the flavor.

Despite the over-the-top prices for these specialty (special order) truffles within the Forbes featured lines, any of these high quality brands also feature unbelievable collections of tasteful, sophisticated and mighty succulent chocolates to give the one you care for... affordably.

World's Most Expensive Chocolates

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