This time two years ago I was preparing for a three-week long trip to Mexico. It turned out to be one of the most memorable journeys I ever took, so no wonder I still reminisce about the time spent there. Last weekend I attended a chocolate-making demonstration at Planete Chocolat in Brussels and nostalgia swept over me as our host introduced us to the history of cacao and the different chocolate-making methods. Even though this wasn’t the usual bean to bar demonstration, the smell of warm, creamy chocolate that permeated the air in the small shop took me right back to the tiny chocolate factory I had the pleasure of visiting in Mexico, where grinding, conching, and even moulding is still made by hand.

If you have a chance to visit Planete Chocolate on Rue de Lombard, they have a small museum in the back of the store, that features chocolate making tools dating back to Mayan times, along with traditional moulds made of metal, that are not used anymore, some of which can be seen in the background of this image.

This post is in response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: Nostalgia.
For more pictures visit my gallery here.