When I was in Brussels in April, I visited the Chocolate Museum, Choco-Story Brussels. The museum opened in 1998, and it is located in the centre of Brussels near the main attractions. Belgium is known for its chocolates, so the chocolate museum was appropriate. The museum showcases the history of chocolate through the ages and offers free samples and a short chocolate-making exhibition about the pralines, which were invented in Belgium.
The story of chocolate starts with the Aztecs and how chocolate came to be 'discovered' by Europe and then refined into what it is known today. There are also sections on the envrionment and sustainability for the production of chocolate and fair trade rules as well as health benefits of chocolate.
The first part of the museum was dedicated to the Aztecs due to their use of the cocao bean.
Afterwards, when chocolate was transported into Europe and served as a drink, the various equipment for consuming chocolate were on display.
Chocolate was loved by the French and considered erotic.
Information on the cocao farming followed and then the introduction of the praline by Belgian chocolatiers.
There was also a section on chocolate themes for different occassions, such as Christmas and Easter, with moulds on display.
There were also vending machines on display, and these would dispense chocolate.
Another room gave free samples of different qualities of choclate and location of the beans before entering the chocolate workshop, where we were informed about the praline and allowed a free sample.
Overall, the museum was interesting, and I learned about the history of chocolate while enjoying a few.
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