Brussels: Museum of Cocoa & Chocolate

As a final stop on our brief walking tour of Brussels, we popped into the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate. You might enjoy the entertaining English translation on that link. I wonder if it was translated from French or Flemish/Dutch. The Maître Chocolatier presiding over the kitchen while we were there was definitely of the Dutch side, though he spoke heavily accented French and a few words of English.

As we entered, a woman handed us samples of four speculoos (Belgian spice cookies) freshly dipped in melted chocolate. She had all four of them propped in one hand, one rectangular cookie between each finger, with the warm chocolate-coated part sticking up, and we were supposed to grab one each. It was such an interesting way to deliver them that I was speechless at first for a second, before reaching for one and indulging in its delectable crumble and savor. Thankfully, the woman's other hand offered a pile of napkins.

We were then able to read posters about the origins of chocolate, where to find cocoa pods, and what chocolate was thought to be good for in various eras. I think it's good for anything. Proceeding to the back of the small museum, we admired the handiwork of a maître chocolatier as he prepared those famous "fruits de mer" chocolates: the ones in the shape of seahorses and shells, with a hint of white chocolate, lots of milk chocolate, and yummy creamy chocolate inside.

Upstairs, I was surprised to find an array of chocolate CLOTHING. Now, I did say I thought chocolate was good for anything, but I meant in an eating fashion; I don't really go for the fashion fashion. Original thought, though. I would constantly be wanting to eat my hat.