Godiva Chocolates

Godiva Chocolate is one of the premier chocolatiers today. These elegant, hand crafted chocolates are available in over eighty countries of the world.

Godiva was founded in Brussels, Belgium in the early 20th century by Joseph Draps. Intrigued by the legend of the generous and beautiful Lady Godiva, Draps named the company in her honor. With increasing popularity of his chocolates Daps opened the first international Godiva boutique in Paris in 1956. Other European shops soon followed.

The American debut of Godiva Chocolatiers came in 1966 in Philadelphia's prestigious store, Wanamaker's. The popularity grew and today there are over 250 Godiva Boutiques across the United States.

Draps used a method called shell molding, which is still used today in the manufacture of Godiva Chocolates. The process of shell molding begins with an intricate mold into which rich, melted chocolate is poured. The chocolate is then poured out, leaving a layer of chocolate in the mold. The layer is cooled to form a shell. The shell is filled with any one of Godiva's rich centers and then another layer of melted chocolate is added. When the chocolates are cooled they are released from the mold.

Another method, book molding, is done by molding two identical molds and then putting them together. This is how the heart, the walnut, and the scallop are created.

The last method that Godiva uses is called enrobing. Enrobing chocolate is the process of taking a pre-formed center and dipping it in melted chocolate until the correct thickness achieved.

Combinations of these chocolates, both milk and dark, can be found in the famous Godiva Gold Ballotin.

Godiva uses high quality ingredients including large amounts of butter and heavy cream which add the luxurious mouth feel that Godiva is so well known for.

Fruit, dried with a special process, are used for the fruit filled chocolates, and no artificial flavors or colors are used. This gives the Godiva chocolates a fresh flavor that just can't be created artificially.

One of the things that Godiva is known for is creating unique products rather than merely copying existing ones. For example, while many companies have peanut butter cups Godiva has created almond butter dome. Almond butter takes the dome far out of the realm of the mundane peanut butter cup. As a nod to their European roots, many of the chocolates have hazelnut praline, a traditional filling and a favorite of many Europeans

Each year Godiva comes out with new chocolate collections. Fans wait impatiently until these amazing concoctions are introduced, often in collectible boxes and tins. The selections are always incredible, the containers always beautiful.

Godiva has very high ratings for both its product and its customer service. Many of the products are certified Kosher.

Fall 2008 Gold Ballotin

The new Ballotin for fall contains 36 pieces of the luxurious chocolate. Included in the 36 piece collection are:

• Dark Chocolate Ganache Bliss
• Milk Chocolate, Pecan Caramel Duet
• Macadamia Mosaic
• Midnight Swirl
• White Chocolate Rapsberry Star
• Praline Heart
• Much more

The Ballotins are available in both larger and smaller sizes. From a tiny four piece collection to a huge140 piece collection there is a Ballotin for every taste and budget.

Also new this fall, and available for a limited time only are Godiva's Pecan Pie Truffles. These truffles are made from toasted pecans adn brown sugar mixed with ganache and encased in Godiva's signature milk chocolate. Each truffle is individually foil wrapped. The truffles are available from Amazon,as well as at the local boutiques.

Also available are Godiva hearts filled with a rich chocolate mousse. The half hearts are filled with an assortment of six flavors and wrapped in foil. They are then places in a Godiva Heart box for presentation.

Over the past decade Godiva has branched out into the coffee and hot cocoa market with signature gourmet coffees and cocoas. These flavored coffees come in luxurious flavors like:

• Chocolate Cream Coffee
• Vanilla Hazlenut
• French Vanilla
• Creme Brulee

The hot chocolate is rich and creamy and comes in several flavors including milk and dark chocolate.

Godiva Chocolates also has other products that they sell for a short time. These products tend to become collectors items and fans of the chocolate snap them up.

Godiva chocolates, hot cocoa and coffees are wonderful gift items for those that you love or a treat for yourself. They are great additions to gift baskets of all types. The quality of a Godiva gift is recognized by nearly everyone.