With these Rocher, you’re really spoiling us
Source: Wikimedia Commons
I was surprised to learn that my home country – the United Kingdom – consumes more chocolate per person per year than Belgium. Moreover, Switzerland beats both countries by a handsome margin.
Nevertheless, Belgian chocolate could well be the finest in the world. Certainly, people here take it very seriously indeed.
In Brussels, where chocolate is the flag symbol of a sophisticated epicurean culture that frankly embarasses the provincial country folk, it’s a religion. And I’ve listened to several lengthy sermons about certain boutiques, hastily delivered from a palatal pulpit in the familiar rattle-tattle of Bruxellois French.
“[M]y very raison d’être is to offer you a dream,” says megastar chocolatier Pierre Marcolini on his website. “My need to challenge conventions, question what I do and break new ground,” he continues, “led to the creation of these chocolate squares that weigh barely six grams…”
Pierre Marcolini is a highly visible individual in what has traditionally been a business of long-established family names, each of which are cited reverently in a near-heraldic hierarchy of chocolastic excellence.
Like evening rain on the cobbles, Marcolini’s creations reflect an image in miniature of this city: a captive market of outwardly conservative, inwardly libertine lawyers, politicians and commissioners.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
For we foreigners, mere inquisitive guests at the banquet table of complex confection, this art can be difficult to appreciate, let alone afford.
That’s why I have to forgive J when, from the city of chocolate, she sometimes returns home with a box of Ferrero Rocher.
Ferrero Rocher have always been, to quote a pleasantly candid Wikipedia article, “promoted to a down-market audience as an aspirational brand”.
But for less than the cost of a third class fare with air-conditioning from Pune to Jaipur (1,302km for R1,087/€15.60, fact fans), a big box of Ferrero Rochers goes very well with that other expat essential, Taylor’s Yorkshire Tea (decaffeinated, of course).
Ah, now you’re talking: simple pleasures for simple people.
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Who is that guy?
Hello you. I'm Mike Padgett and I work in the technology sector as an Information Designer.
I also enjoy travel, concerts, films and walking.
I'm based in Brussels, Belgium. My current favourite Belgian beer is St Feuillien Brune.





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