"If it makes you happy, it can't be that bad..." - KK

Thank you Sheryl Crow for that affirmation,

We all have our things. Some people love craft beer. Others love cars. Linda loves cathedrals and old churches. I mean she really loves them. Many are works of art. No doubt. So I am happy to accompany her to these edifices of stone and stained glass just about everywhere we go. But today we were in my wheelhouse of things to love.

Let me say that I love chocolate. And I really can't underscore this enough.  Friends, colleagues and family know this. I once had an employee who I jokingly told "if I get gourmet chocolates I tend to give better scores on reviews." I was absolutely kidding and made that clear but a year later when she came to my office for her annual review she brought me good chocolate and it didn't hurt her evaluation. Though I maintain it didn't change it either!

My personal office has an actual chocolate bar in it. Ask anyone at the hospital. I am known for my chocolate selection. Guests come to my office to have tastings. I've been asked if it's too tempting having it all right there in my sight every day. It's not a problem for me. Actually, while I do so love chocolate, I'm an "everything in moderation" kind of gal.  So I wouldn't say I abuse the stuff. Really I don't have a problem. I can stop at any time.

What I can also say with confidence is that every country I've been to has their unique way of "doing chocolate." The Scandinavian  countries didn't impress me much. Finland, in particular, had what can only  be described as "odd" tasting chocolate. Ireland has a delicious "dairy cream" fudge covered in chocolate which I really like.

Germany was fine but I admit I didn't seek out good chocolate while there and I've yet to try chocolate in Amsterdam but I will!

Today was a trip to Belgium to the medieval historic village of Brugge, also referenced as Mecca for chocoholics.

Walking the cobblestone streets you will see chocolatier after chocolatier. These are artisans and you can see the craft exalted in creative ways in each shop, from unique flavors such as dark chocolate, balsamic and sun dried tomato truffles (I tasted one--it's good) to outlandishly shaped chocolates. We aren't talking bunnies here folks. I blushed at the options.

If you've ever taken a chocolate class (not to be all high brow but let's for a moment) you know that the cacao bean, how and from where it is sourced, is the first thing of importance. When I saw a bicycle with a large burlap bag of cacao beans strapped to it and being delivered to one of the little shops, I knew I was in a place of reverence for chocolate. I wanted to pay my respects as well and I only had the day. I didn't come half way around the world to half ass do this. It was time to get to work.

It seemed that every fourth store front was a chocolate shop in Brugge. Many had serious awards posted in the windows, including a Michelin rated and more than one with a Gault Millau nod.

The most charming shop from the street view was Dumon Chocolatier. The old store front was alluring in every way and upon entering I saw a Christmas card on the shelf from Rick Steves, the longtime PBS travel show host, and his family.  He highlighted their chocolate on his show and remains in touch with the owner. This was a good sign. The shop is tiny and more than four people at a time feels like too much. I exited with a small first bag of truffles. Off to a great start.

The afternoon continued and I only entered another seven or so of the chocolate shops but window shopped many more, taking in the aromas and watching some of them create their inventory. I did make some additional purchases to taste later but the smells alone gave me a high to last into the night.

Here is something I learned that might interest fellow chocolate lovers.

A Danish study, according to a May 2017 article in the Wall Street Journal, revealed that two to six servings of dark chocolate per week can reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation, the irregular heartbeat that can lead to stroke, by up to 20%. No wonder I'm doing so well! 

Belgium became known for its chocolate beginning in the 1600's while they were still under Spanish rule. The Spanish brought cocoa to Belgium and today we enjoy fine Belgian chocolate world-wide. Gracias España!

I've not been to some of the other countries also known for good chocolate. So I reserve the right to make an addendum to this post at some point...

If you find yourself craving a nip of the nib, you're not alone. You are not alone!