I am a self proclaimed chocoholic.
I love it in all shapes, sizes and forms. Choc bars, choc pudding, choc muffins...you put chocolate in it or on it and you will make me happy.
I thought since I am a big fan, I must go and have a look at what the experts say about the best chocolate around...
The countries that produces the best chocolate, where cacao plants are not grown is Switzerland, Belgium and Italy. Countries that are mentioned that do grow their own cacao plants are France and America.
The cacao tree is native to the Amazon and Columbus brought the bean to Europe, but bless your soul Don Cortes that you recognized the commercial value of this magic bean and that it could be made into a drink.
From there it just got better and better...
My hero - the man who discovered you can use the beans.
Growing a cacao plant is an art and the better the bean, the better the chocolate and the higher the quality.
The best chocolates out there will cost you a good penny, but I guess if you are really a chocolate connoisseur it will be worth your while.
The top 5 chocolates in the world are
- Amedei
- Leonidas
- Bovetti
- Valrhona
- Michel Cluizel chocolate
I have not tasted or ever heard of any of these chocolates, but I can just imagine if I enjoy the chocolate I can afford, how much better and tastier these ones must be. (I have tasted Lindt chocolate which is nr 8 in the top 10)
But I am not a picky chocolate eater - like I said - if it is chocolate I am happy. No matter where it comes from or on what list it is.
I just know that when they decided to call chocolate the food of the gods, they were spot on.
Now please excuse me, I have a date with a slab of chocolate :)
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