Three years ago, Lauren and I made a daring voyage to the frontiers of chocolate-eating knowledge by sampling the wares of every single chocolate shop we passed in Bruge, which may well be the chocolate center of the universe. We were proud of ourselves for our scientific approach to the process, but I have recently heard from David B. Sherwood, a man whose devotion to eating chocolate in the most scientific manner far surpasses our own. I’m particularly concerned by the fact that we may have been unfair to Chocolatier Sukerbuyc, which of course invalidates our entire experiment and requires that we return to Bruge and once again gorge ourselves on chocolate. Such are the terrifying consequences of the selfless pursuit of knowledge.
Here is Mr. Sherwood’s professional response to our adventures:
I think that you have committed four carnal errors (well okay, not
carnal).
1. Mixing chocolate with beer (really not to be recommended)
2. Not drinking enough water (necessary to clear the palate between shops)
3. Through being inconsistent between shops, you should have kept to the
same one at each for a scientific comparison
4. Eating the Chocolate Waffle thing REALLY damaged your chances of proper
tasting afterwards

However, it is clear that you had a good time and that is of course the most important thing. I also trust that you appreciate the considerable difference between frites from Belgian and from India where they would be infused with around 100 spices and hopefully would blow your head off. Of course, I have never been to India so I am hypothesizing!
Whilst I agree with you that Sukerbuyc level of ‘customer friendliness’ is appalling, I have to tell you that you seriously missed out by not going there. Their produce is the best of the ones you have mentioned and I HAVE tasted them all. Also, Heidi and her colleagues are actually really
friendly but are fed up with the considerable number of tourists who apparently come into the shop, touch the produce without buying it and thereby render it unsellable. Apparently we British are the worst followed by good ol’ USA and the Japanese. The later surprise me. Heidi tells me that she is amazed as most Europeans (she means French, German and Dutch) are far to well behaved to touch if they were not going to buy.
You also missed out on the produce of Chocolatier Dumon.
I decided to start a chocolate business online. So having spent many years going to Brugge prior to Xmas in order to enjoy the ambiance with my family and buy stocks up for my customers as Xmas presents etc. I decided to also do it ‘scientifically’. I went by myself (actually I went with my
family, but insisted on having the day to myself) and tested 20 in one day. Produced a shortlist and then had a day off whilst over the next two days I tried just over another 20. I then reduced myself to four producers.
My website went live a couple of months ago and is doing rather well I am pleased to say.
We are at:
http://www.chobobong.com
I should be adding Sukerbuyc to it shortly and our terms are much more friendly! I also hope to be adding a third range in the new year.
Finally, for your info. Lady’s Chocolates are not made in shop. They are made by Kim Choc of Belgium who have a massive factory where they mass produce the stuff but do have a range which are ‘hand finished’. This in essence means that they put on the decorations by hand which are to
complex to do by machine.