History
Belgium's association with chocolate goes back as far as 1635 when the country was under Spanish occupation shortly after chocolate had been brought to Europe from Mesoamerica.[1] By the mid 18th century, chocolate was extremely popular in upper and middle class circles, particularly in the form of hot chocolate. Among them was Charles-Alexander of Lorraine, the Austrian governor of the territory.[2] From the early 20th century, the country was able to import large quantities of cocoa from its African colony, the Belgian Congo. The praline is an invention of the Belgian chocolate industry.[3]