Exploration

Exploration is a culmination of excitement and learning opportunities. The adventure and discovery of traveling new regions, meeting locals and visiting other cultures other than your own is a favorite pastime. As a visitor, we’re presented with the opportunity to experience and respect other cultures and belief systems.

Here at Belas Company, some of the most memorable adventures happened as organically as placing a finger on the map and studying that region for future travel opportunities. Other choices occurred after reading a blog, watching a travel channel, receiving an invitation or fulfilling a lifelong desire to visit a specific geographical area. The longing to visit the French Riviera was birthed from the later of these and occurred a year after the terror attack in Nice, France. Referred to now as ‘Bastille Day’, the day a 19-tonned cargo truck was deliberately driven into crowds of people celebrating Bastille Day on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France, resulting in the deaths of 86 people and the injury of 458 others. The resiliency of the French, its people, culture and tourism remained strong and its this rich cultural heritage that remains as robust today as it did then.

Located near Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France, Patisserie Canet, a premiere chocolatier in France is a chocolate and pastry lover’s dream. It offers amazing gourmet baked goods and is considered the best upscale patisserie around. During a different excursion to Madrid, Spain, a well-known indulgent treat to the locals there are the churros and chocolate. Churros are a long waffle-like stick of savory fried dough made of flour, water and salt. Some versions are made of potato dough sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.

Churros were introduced to South America during the Spanish Inquisition in the 1500s. During the same time, the Spanish returned to Europe with cacao, which they sweetened with sugar cane to make the kind of thick, hot chocolate that’s perfect for dunking churros. Churros con chocolate is a common breakfast item in Spain, although they may be eaten throughout the day or night as a snack. This is evident at Chocolatería San Ginés located downtown on Pasadizo San Ginés. Founded in 1894, this perennially popular chocolateria serves churros and chocolate all day and night.  This late-night churro stop offers entertainingly brusque service, bright lights, and a bustlingly atmosphere.

While you may not be a chocolatier or specialty bakery similarly to Patisserie Canet or Chocolatería San Ginés, you can recreate these fine delectable treats in your very own kitchen. Using Belas Company raw organic cacao powder, cacao nibs, dutch cocoa powder or teton cocoa powder is where it all begins. Shop our Powders section or search using keyword ‘cacao’ or ‘cocoa’ and enjoy!

 

Be Well, Be You~