The dark side of Brussels : chocolate 

The first traces of the use of cocoa appear from the Mayan civilisation in the seventh century.  In 1528, Cortes goes back to Spain with cocoa beans and the equipment needed for preparing chocolate.  Although at first jealously guarded by the Grand Court of Spain, chocolate makes its way into the Spanish Netherlands (present day Belgium).  Here, the Swiss will be introduced to the ‘liquid gold’.  After having been a condiment for the happy few, chocolate will become accessible to everyone as from the end of the 19th century.  And just under 100 years ago, the ‘praline’ or Belgian chocolate is invented. 

Follow a Brussels Walks guide on his/her quest for excellence and find out why Belgian chocolate simply is the best in the world, how chocolates (or pralines) are made and what are the do's and don'ts!