Belgian chocolate

Belgian chocolate (French:chocolat belge, Dutch:Belgische chocolade) is chocolate produced in Belgium, a country in Western Europe. A major industry since the 19th century, today it forms an important part of the nation's economy and culture.

While the raw materials used in chocolate production do not originate in Belgium, the country has an association with the product which dates to the early 17th century. The industry expanded massively in the 19th century, gaining an international reputation and, together with the Swiss, became one of the commodity's most important producers in Europe. Although the industry has been regulated by law since 1894, there is no universal standard for the chocolate to be labelled "Belgian". The most commonly accepted standard dictates that the actual production of the chocolate must take place inside Belgium.