In April 2024, I was blessed to spend two weeks in Holland on a Viking riverboat cruise. Besides learning that Gouda cheese is “wunnerful,” I eagerly soaked up lots of Dutch history. Since many family historians find that they have a family line going back to the Netherlands (proper name of that little country), I thought I’d share some of the Dutch history bits that I learned.

So what’s the big deal about Dutch chocolate? 

Well, Dutch-processed cocoa powder is also referred to as Dutched Chocolate, is made from beans that have been washed with an alkaline solution that neutralizes that natural acidity and gives the chocolate a darker color and smoother, softer flavor.

The Dutch are known for their chocolate. The Netherlands was the first country to mass produce cocoa powder used for making chocolate drinks and baking and chocolate bares. 

There were dedicated chocolate shops everywhere and every tourist shop also carried packaged chocolate. I was surrounded by chocolate goodness!! 

While yes, I certainly did bring some Dutch chocolate home, I found a website that sells the real thing:  www.realdutchchocolate.com.  You can purchase milk chocolate, dark chocolate, chocolate with hazelnuts or licorice. Go for it!

If that doesn’t ring your bell, know this: the consensus is that YES, dark chocolate is by far the healthiest form of the treat, containing the least sugar and because of its cocoa content, it has higher levels of substances that protect the body’s cells. 

The price for that one-pound chocolate shoe? About $5.00…… it was pretty much 1-for-1 when I was there. Notice how they mark it 4,95 and we mark it 4.95.  And no, I did not get one. 

TIDBIT ON WOODEN SHOES:  They were made from willow wood which held up better to the mostly-constantly-wet ground.