http://www.monkeychocolate.com/chocolate/european-chocolate/ European chocolate has traditionally offer more to the consumer than its American counterparts, but the face of European chocolate has finally made an impact in the Sates too. en-us Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 European chocolate leads the pack Chocolate in general is actually quite varied in terms of where it comes from, unique blends, and production methods. From Dutch chocolate to French chocolate, European chocolate manufacturers have long held many of their techniques as closely guarded secrets. But now, with the palates of consumers becoming more refined and their standards a it higher here in the States, the secrets have begun to filter out of the Old World and into the New. Americans are keen to the upgrade of locally produced chocolate that can actually rival European chocolate. It will be some time before European chocolate is surpassed though! The past is behind us In that past, European chocolate traditionally held a higher set of standards than your average American producer did. They realized long before we did that what goes into their gourmet chocolate is of utmost importance. They considered what kinds of bean to use as well as where on earth those beans came from. As we have travelled and experienced more and more of the world, we have also realized that what we want available here in the States should be on par with European chocolate. And so some American confectioners are answering that call and beginning to take more of the time, thought, effort, and cost that goes into making a truly fine piece of chocolate. One big change has been an increase in the amount of dark chocolate that is being consumed and demanded. More and more Americans are losing their taste for overly swee tchocolate candies and are opting more for the darker versions, much in the tradition of European chocolates. As time goes on we will all be seeing more American chocolate producers that turn out confections more akin to Belgian chocolate than our M&Ms. In a way our world just keeps getting smaller and the more we see what the other countries of the world have to offer, the more we want to experience similar products at home. European chocolate, even German chocolate has enjoyed immense popularity and world renown for a few hundred years already, maybe it's high time for Americans to make a name for themselves too. Who knows, maybe in the future people will be asking for American chocolate instead of Swiss chocolate! Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT http://www.monkeychocolate.com/chocolate/european-chocolate/belgian-chocolate/ Belgian chocolate offers something for every taste, but Belgian chocolate made its fame with the "praline". en-us Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 http://www.monkeychocolate.com/chocolate/european-chocolate/swiss-chocolate/ Swiss chocolate has had a long and varied history, and when most of us think Swiss chocolate we think Toblerone! en-us Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 http://www.monkeychocolate.com/chocolate/european-chocolate/german-chocolate/ German chocolate makes for a great cake- try a spin on the traditional German chocolate cake with bananas. en-us Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 http://www.monkeychocolate.com/chocolate/european-chocolate/french-chocolate/ Zee French chocolate is zee best in the world according to zee French. Have you tasted zee delectable French chocolate yet? en-us Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 http://www.monkeychocolate.com/chocolate/european-chocolate/dutch-chocolate/ Dutch chocolate - we love Dutch chocolate - thanks Chocolate.com! en-us Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0