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A praline ( ), also known as Belgian chocolate, Belgian chocolate fondant or chocolate bonbon, is a case of chocolate (if from Belgium usually a quality, branded lower-melting point
A praline ( ), also known as Belgian chocolate, Belgian chocolate fondant or chocolate bonbon, is a case of chocolate (if from Belgium usually a quality, branded lower-melting point Belgian chocolate
Belgian chocolate (; ; ) is chocolate produced in Belgium. A major industry since the 19th century, today it forms an important part of the Belgian economy, nation's economy and Culture of Belgium, culture.
The raw materials used in chocolate p ...
) filled with a soft centre. Jean Neuhaus II, a Belgian chocolatier
A chocolatier ( ; ; ) is a person or company that makes and sells chocolate confections. Chocolatiers are distinct from chocolate makers, who create chocolate from cacao beans and other raw ingredients. Chocolatiers work artisanally with pre- ...
, is generally credited for their introduction in 1912, although they were probably made since the 19th century.
There have always been many types and shapes: nearly always containing a chocolate shell with a softer filling. Confusion can arise over the use of the word praline in Belgium as it may refer to filled chocolates in general known as pralines and it may also refer to a traditional praline filling common in Europe (caramelised hazelnuts (noisettes) or almonds (amandes) ground into a paste, sometimes with whey powder, condensed milk or cream) described as ''praliné'' ( ). Belgian chocolates (pralines) are not limited to the traditional praliné filling and often include nuts, marzipan
Marzipan is a confectionery, confection consisting primarily of sugar and almond meal (ground almonds), sometimes augmented with almond oil or extract.
It is often made into Confectionery, sweets; common uses are chocolate-covered marzipan and ...
, salted caramel, coffee, a spirit, cream liqueur
A cream liqueur is a liqueur that includes dairy cream and a generally flavourful liquor among its ingredients.
Notable cream liqueurs include:
*Amarula, which uses distillate of fermented South African Sclerocarya birrea, marula fruits
*Iri ...
, cherry or a chocolate blend that contrasts with the outer shell. They are often sold in stylised boxes in the form of a gift box. The largest manufacturers are Neuhaus, Godiva
Lady Godiva (; died between 1066 and 1086), in Old English , was a late Anglo-Saxon noblewoman who is relatively well documented as the wife of Leofric, Earl of Mercia, and a patron of various churches and monasteries.
She is mainly remembere ...
, Leonidas
Leonidas I (; , ''Leōnídas''; born ; died 11 August 480 BC) was king of the Ancient Greek city-state of Sparta. He was the son of king Anaxandridas II and the 17th king of the Agiad dynasty, a Spartan royal house which claimed descent fro ...
, and Guylian
Guylian (, ) is a Belgian chocolate brand and manufacturer best known for its seashell shaped pralines. The company was founded in 1958 in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium by Guy FoubertChocolaterie Guylian NV MarketLine Company Profile. (2017.). MarketLin ...
.
Contrary to truffles
A truffle is the fruiting body of a subterranean ascomycete fungus, one of the species of the genus ''Tuber''. More than one hundred other genera of fungi are classified as truffles including '' Geopora'', '' Peziza'', '' Choiromyces'', and ' ...
, pralines are very often decorated in a sophisticated manner.
See also
*Bonbon
A bonbon, sometimes bon-bon, is a small chocolate confection. They are sometimes filled with liqueur or other sweet alcoholic drinks and sold wrapped in colored foil.
Ingredients
Through the Western world, bonbons are usually small candies but v ...
, a similar chocolate confectionery
References
Belgian confectionery Belgian chocolate {{confection-stub