Chocolate lovers from all over the world acknowledge that each one has a different taste for chocolate. Even though the real metric of a chocoholic is having to taste anything with cocoa, preference for a particular type or brand of chocolate is often unavoidable. With all the chocolates in the world, which one makes the best?

Where Chocolate Began

Chocolate goes back to the time of the Mayans and the Aztecs in central Mexico. They were the ones who discovered that the seeds inside the pod of a cocoa can be dried, crushed, and processed to produce a dark and bitter liquid. The Mayans called it chocolhaa, while the Aztecs called it xocolatl. They then mix this liquid with various kinds of spices. The resulting foamy mixture is believed to be a source of divine power. Due to this, only Aztec royals were allowed to drink chocolate. Chocolate was so precious back then that cocoa beans were even used as currency.

Spanish conquistador introduced chocolate to the rest of Europe. They realized that when mixed with spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar, chocolate became even more irresistible. Spain was a chocolate superpower at that moment. It took nearly a century and considerable experimentation before it grew in popularity throughout the continent.

Chocolate in the 18th Century

In 1761, Joseph Fry built the first ever commercial chocolate factory in Bristol, England. Even though factories at that time were labor-intensive, it was also at that point when chocolate-making equipment became innovative. To give an example, the cocoa press made the grinding of cocoa beans simpler and much faster.

In the 1800s, several more improvements were made in the texture, appearance, and taste of chocolate. It was at this time that chocolate bars came about.

Best Countries for Chocoholics

Nowadays, Spain is not a chocolate superpower anymore. The battle for the best chocolate in Europe is presently down to three countries – France, Belgium, and Switzerland. Through the years, these nations have been taking turns in making chocolate history. When it comes to chocolate, chocoholics know that France, Belgium, and Switzerland make some of the finest ones in the world.

France is known for many things, such as its couture, cuisine, and art. French chocolates on the other hand, are unexpectedly not one of them. French treats are often embellished with edible ornaments that have been carved and painted by hand. They’re works of art in their own right. French dark chocolates are particularly interesting. They are subtle in taste, which means that they’re not as sweet, nor as bitter as any other chocolate. The taste also sticks around for a little while.

The Swiss are known to produce chocolates on a large scale. Chocolate was introduced to Switzerland when Zurich mayor Heinrich Escher imported cocoa beans and consumed it in banquets. It was subsequently banned due to its alleged sexually stimulating benefits.

In Vevey, Switzerland, Swiss chocolatier and entrepreneur Daniel Peter found a groundbreaking way to add milk to chocolate. Thanks to him, milk chocolate became a concept that was improved upon by other chocolatiers who followed.