Belgian cuisine is widely varied among regions, while also reflecting the cuisines of neighbouring France, Germany and the Netherlands. It is sometimes said that Belgian food is served in the quantity of German cuisine but with the quality of French food. Outside the country, Belgium is best known for its chocolate, waffles, fries and beer.
A bonbon, sometimes bon-bon, is a small chocolate confection. They are usually filled with liqueur or other sweet alcoholic ingredients, and sold wrapped in colored foil.
Ixelles Cemetery, located in Ixelles in the southern part of Brussels, is one of the major cemeteries in Belgium. Ixelles Cemetery also refers to a neighbourhood with a lot of bars and restaurants for students, north of the actual cemetery. It is in fact located between the two main campuses of the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB).
Quality Street is a line of tinned and boxed toffees, chocolates and sweets, first manufactured in 1936 by Mackintosh's in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. It was named after J. M. Barrie's play Quality Street. Since 1988, the confectionery has been produced by Nestlé. Quality Street has long been a competitor to Cadbury Roses, which were launched by Cadbury in 1938. Nestlé does not distribute Quality Street in the US, but it may be ordered online for delivery, or found in specialty candy shops.
Cadbury Roses is a brand of chocolates made by Cadbury. Introduced in the UK in 1938, they were named after the English packaging equipment company "Rose Brothers" based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, that manufactured and supplied the machines that wrapped the chocolates.
The Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries is an ensemble of three glazed shopping arcades in central Brussels, Belgium. It consists of the King's Gallery, the Queen's Gallery and the Princes' Gallery.
A chocolate truffle is a French chocolate confectionery traditionally made with a chocolate ganache centre and coated in cocoa powder, coconut, or chopped nuts. A chocolate truffle is handrolled into a spherical or ball shape. The name derives from the chocolate truffle's similarity in appearance to truffles, a tuber fungus. It was created in the city of Chambéry by the pastry chef Louis Dufour.
Swiss chocolate is chocolate produced in Switzerland. Switzerland's chocolates have earned an international reputation for high quality with many famous international chocolate brands.
Cailler is a Swiss chocolate brand and production factory based in Broc. It was founded in Vevey by François-Louis Cailler in 1819 and remained independent until the early 20th century, when it associated with other producers. Shortly before, Cailler opened its main factory at Broc in 1898. The company was finally bought by Nestlé in 1929 and became a brand. Cailler is the oldest chocolate brand still in existence in Switzerland.
Guylian is a Belgian chocolate brand and manufacturer best known for its seashell shaped pralines. The company was founded in 1958 in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium by Guy Foubert and is now owned by the South Korean company Lotte Confectionery.
Milk Tray is a brand of boxed chocolates currently manufactured by Cadbury. Introduced by Cadbury UK in 1915, it is one of the longest running brands in the confectioner's portfolio. Milk Tray is sold in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, New York City, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Belgian chocolate is chocolate produced in Belgium. A major industry since the 19th century, today it forms an important part of the nation's economy and culture.
Cavalier is a family-owned Belgian chocolate manufacturer founded in 1996, making only no-sugar-added chocolate products.
Wittamer & Co is a notable chocolatier based in Brussels, Belgium.
The merveilleux (marvelous) is a small cake that originated in Belgium and is now found in France and some U.S. cities. It consists of a sandwich of two light meringues welded with whipped cream which has been covered with whipped cream and dusted with chocolate shavings. A candied cherry sometimes decorates the cake.
Chocolat Jacques is a Belgian firm that was founded in Verviers in 1896, by Antoine Jacques (1858-1929). Production was later moved to Bruges and Eupen in the east of Belgium, where its headquarters have also been located since 1923.
Planète Chocolat is a Belgian chocolatier of artisan chocolates. The company was founded in 1991 and makes its chocolates with 100% pure cocoa butter. GoEuro selected Planète Chocolat as one of the Top 11 best chocolate shops in Europe. Planète Chocolat currently has one store where chocolates are handmade, sold, and distributed.
Galler is a Belgian confectionery company, which has its head office in Vaux-sous-Chèvremont, a tiny village in the area of Liège. The company markets various products such as chocolate bars, slabs of chocolate, pralines, macarons, ice cream, and spreads. It also has a number of franchised boutiques under its brand.
Events in the year 1912 in Belgium.
Pralines, also known as Belgian chocolates, Belgian chocolate fondants or chocolate bonbons, are cases of chocolate filled with a soft centre. Jean Neuhaus II, a Belgian chocolatier, is generally credited for their introduction in 1912, although they were probably made since the 19th century.
