Stars and Stripes reporter Lydia Gordon holds her customized chocolate creations after completing the Belgian Chocolate Makers workshop in Brussels. (Courtesy photo)
When I hear the word “Belgium,” the first thing that comes to my mind is chocolate — and not just because I have a sweet tooth. So when researching activities for a recent trip to Brussels, I came across the Belgian Chocolate Factory and noticed it was hosting a chocolate-making workshop during my stay.
What drew me in was learning that this five-year-old chocolate-maker is the only one in the city to craft chocolate from bean to bar entirely by hand, with no factory machinery involved, according to our instructor.
That hands-on approach sealed the deal for me. The 18-euro discount I got thanks to a promotional rate didn’t hurt, either.
Items made during a recent Belgian Chocolate Makers workshop in Brussels include a milk chocolate bar, truffles and assorted goodies featuring dark chocolate. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
I presumed I would spend the nearly two hours making and eating chocolate, but the class turned out to be so much more than that. Upon arrival, I was gifted a very fashionable hair net and introduced to Patricia, our instructor for the afternoon.
But before making our own chocolate, we first learned where it comes from and the process that turns cacao into one of the world’s most recognizable sweets.
Patricia took us through the basics and showed us the three main varieties of cacao plants: Forastero, Trinitario and Criollo.
Unbeknownst to me, freshly harvested cacao beans are encased in a slimy membrane called mucilage, a sweet, slightly fruity coating that Patricia encouraged us to taste.
The texture might make some people hesitate, but it was fascinating to experience what a cacao bean looks and tastes like at the very beginning of its journey.
Our first project was milk chocolate. Patricia demonstrated each step, from tempering to piping the chocolate into molds, before letting us create our own custom bars.
An instructor at Belgian Chocolate Makers in Brussels demonstrates techniques to participants in one of the daily workshops the establishment offers. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
The Belgian Chocolate Makers training center in Brussels is where the company teaches classes, which include lessons on the production and origins of chocolate. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
The 20 or so toppings we could choose from to mix into our creations included chopped hazelnuts, almonds, shaved coconut, Biscoff pieces and pretzels.
I began with good intentions, but somewhere between the crushed Biscoff cookies and the pretzels, things got a little out of hand. I started out strong with a neat cracker-and-pretzel layout, but the second I added the crushed cookies, my neat display became a mound of cookie dust and salty sundries.
I’m more of a flavor-over-decor person anyway, so I figured a bit of chaos couldn’t hurt.
Stars and Stripes reporter Lydia Gordon customizes a milk chocolate bar during a Belgian Chocolate Makers workshop in Brussels. (Courtesy photo)
Belgian Chocolate Makers in Brussels hosts workshops every day to teach the history and creation of chocolate. The company hand-crafts its products from cacao bean to chocolate. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
With our milk chocolate bars chilling in the fridge, Patricia led us back into chocolate history. We sampled a piece of pure, bitter cacao and learned about the techniques used to temper dark chocolate before creating our own small pieces.
I spent some time bonding with three of my classmates, discovering that our work station had an even split between milk and dark chocolate fans.
Despite our differences, we all agreed that a touch of sea salt in dark chocolate was irresistible, so we each added a little to our creations.
An instructor at the Belgian Chocolate Makers workshop in Brussels shows participants boxes that they will use to package their creations. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
Dark chocolate piping made by an instructor at the Belgian Chocolate Makers workshop in Brussels lets participants see an example of the types of artistry they can aim to replicate. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
I tried my hand at a lopsided heart, a little snowman to celebrate the winter season, a few round drops and even a Mickey Mouse silhouette.
The chocolate hardened faster than expected, so we added decorations quickly before moving on to the next and final challenge: truffles.
The process was a bit tedious but nevertheless so much fun, especially knowing I’d be taking home a box of chocolates I’d crafted myself.
Participants in the Belgian Chocolate Makers workshop in Brussels get to try their hand at making coconut and cacao powder truffles, which they can take home. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
Before leaving, I had to pick up a bar of the chocolate we’d tasted during the class. Patricia helped me choose one that matched my preferences, explaining the subtle differences between each type of cacao bean.
Educational experiences don’t get much more enjoyable. Toss in the fact that this one came with sweet souvenirs to boot, and well, I’d say it was Brussels at its best, bar none.
gordon.lydia@stripes.com
Belgian Chocolate Makers in Brussels hosts daily workshops that teach participants about the history of chocolate and the process of making it. People who take the class create their own custom chocolate pieces, which they get to keep. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
Belgian Chocolate Factory Workshop
Address: Shop, Rue Labeau 11, Brussels; factory, Place de la Justice 5, Brussels
Hours: Workshops every day at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.; store is open everyday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Cost: 70 euros per person for an hour and a half; 20% off all in-store chocolate after workshop
Information: Online: shop.chocolaterie.brussels
