What’s The Hype About Swiss and Belgian Chocolates? Are They Superior to Indian Chocolates?

With an ocean of chocolaty goodness out there, we often hear of Swiss and Belgian chocolates being oh-so-delicious. But let's cut to the chase—what’s the real deal with them? Aren’t they just chocolates? Let’s explore the details!

Swiss Chocolates: The Alpine Artists

Home to the Alps, secretive banks, and, of course, divine chocolates, Switzerland has long been in the chocolate-making business. You can think of Swiss chocolates as the James Bond of the chocolate world. Well, that's not an exaggeration! In fact, they are the inventors of milk chocolates with lusciously balanced flavors of cocoa and Swiss milk.

As craftsmen since the 19th century, Swiss chocolatiers are among the forerunners in this field. What’s their secret weapon,  you ask? It's the conching process, invented by Rodolphe Lindt in 1879, which involves continuously mixing and aerating the chocolate. Swiss chocolates pretty much owe their goodness to this method, which gives them that melt-in-your-mouth texture. Brands like Lindt, Toblerone, and Nestlé have become synonymous with quality, making Swiss chocolate a global sensation.

Belgian Chocolates: The Praline Pioneers

Flying over to Belgium, Belgian chocolates are like a luxurious, creamy opera—complex, rich, and full of surprises! Thanks to Jean Neuhaus in 1912, the birth of pralines has been such a blissful gift to the world.

Belgian chocolatiers crafted these delightful chocolate shells using top-notch cocoa beans, creamy centers filled with ganache, caramel, nougat, or nut pastes, and traditional methods so that every bite feels like a sensational blast of flavors. Brands like Godiva, Leonidas, and Neuhaus have been superheroes that turned Belgian chocolate-making into fine art—no wonder their quality and innovation have earned them a spot in the Chocolate Hall of Fame.

But hold on a second! While all that was truly amazing, what about the new kids on the block, a.k.a, Indian chocolates? Are the glorified Swiss and Belgian chocolates superior to them? 

Enter: Indian Chocolates — The Rising Stars

 Well, India isn’t just sitting on the sidelines. Over the past few years, Indian chocolates have made waves, thanks to the “Bean to Bar movement,” making the market worth 10 Crores (Cocoatrait Research) in 2021. India's diverse climate and rich agricultural history have resulted in the growth of our cocoa in regions like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, with about 28 small, medium, and large-sized bean-to-bar chocolate makers.

Artisanal chocolates have changed consumer trends, with more and more people wanting premium chocolates as the word about them spreads. After all, when one large conglomerate produces the base chocolate for all the ‘chocolatiers’, all the sweet treats around the world are bound to taste the same. Well, this isn’t the case with bean-to-bar chocolate who work very closely with farmers on fermentation and drying to bring out the unique characteristics of the cacao from that region. 

Mastering the art of crafting exquisite chocolates by infusing local flavors with sustainable practices, Indian chocolatiers are focussing on quality rather than quantity, with an amazing 40% year-on-year growth on average. And while artisanal chocolates still feel oh-so-new, the Kerala-based chocolate brand ‘Paul and Mike’ became the first Indian label to win a silver at the International Chocolate Awards! 

What’s the Sweet Truth?

So, are Swiss and Belgian chocolates truly superior to Indian chocolates? Well, that’s not at all true and it all boils down to the matter of taste. Swiss and Belgian chocolates have a legacy of excellence, but Indian chocolates are quickly catching up with their unique flavors and ethical practices. Just like the Indian chocolate brand winning the silver at the International Chocolate Awards over others.

In the end, what makes great chocolate is not the country but the quality of ingredients and techniques used to craft them that will make you say, “Mmm, that’s amazing!” 

So, if you want to indulge a little and let your taste buds decide the winner of this delicious debate, Pascati is your champion. At Pascati, we craft premium quality chocolates that not only feel like a celebration of flavors but also tug at the strings of your heart so you always keep coming back for more.

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