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Join the Chocolate History Workshop in Ghent City Centre
In the heart of Ghent City Centre, this hands-on chocolate workshop invites you to grind cacao beans into chocolate the way the Maya and Aztecs did, so you’ll create your own chocolate bar from scratch while discovering the pure flavours of cacao; as you work you’ll taste a chocolate drink recipe dating back 5,000 years, transform cacao beans into chocolate yourself, recreate a 17th-century hot chocolate recipe, indulge in chocolate delicacies enjoyed by historical figures across centuries, learn how chocolate was once used as medicine, and finish with chocolate bonbons including the iconic seashells-making it a rich, educational, and delicious Food & Drink activity to book during your stay in Ghent.
About this activity in Ghent City Centre
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Highlights
- Make your own chocolate bar from cacao beans in a hands-on workshop held in Ghent City Centre - grind beans the way the Maya and Aztecs did and taste pure cacao flavours.
- Sip a reconstructed 5,000-year-old chocolate drink and recreate a 17th-century hot chocolate recipe, guided by a licensed English-speaking expert.
- Sample Belgian artisanal chocolates and historic chocolate delicacies, including classic bonbons and iconic seashells from different makers in the area.
- Learn chocolate’s origins and cultural history while enjoying a tactile, sensory experience that connects you to chocolate traditions rather than modern tempering techniques.
Important Information
- This is a from-scratch chocolate workshop focused on grinding cacao beans and flavour exploration - it does not teach tempering, melting, or professional moulding of truffles or bonbons.
- An English-certified guide leads the session; hot chocolate (with recipe), water and cacao products are provided, and you’ll take home the chocolate bar you craft yourself.
- The tasting room is kept around 18°C to protect chocolate quality, so bring a sweater if you get cold; service animals are allowed and public transport options are nearby.
- The activity takes place in a historic building that isn’t easily wheelchair accessible; if you need support or accessibility arrangements, contact the host before booking. Transportation to the venue is not included.
Meeting Point
Meet at the chocolate shop in Ghent City Centre; exact address, entry instructions and nearby public-transport details will be sent after you confirm your booking so you can arrive easily.
Includes
- Join a licensed English guide for your chocolate experience in Ghent City Centre, Ghent, so you can learn and taste with confidence
- Enjoy a rich hot chocolate served with the recipe so you can recreate the flavour at home
- Stay refreshed-bottled water is provided during the tasting
- Sample a variety of cacao products to explore different flavour profiles
- Taste Belgian artisanal chocolates from multiple local chocolate makers to discover regional specialties
- Create and take home a chocolate bar you craft yourself from cacao beans
Excludes
- Transportation is not included
Other
- Service animals are welcome, making the activity more accessible to travellers who rely on them
- Public transportation options are available nearby, so you can reach the shop easily while exploring the area
- The activity takes place inside a chocolate shop housed in a historical building; if you use a wheelchair or have other support needs, contact us beforehand so we can work together to improve accessibility
- The tasting room is kept at around 18°C to maintain chocolate quality-bring a sweater if you get cold easily
Customer Reviews
10/10
Based on 10 Reviews
Summary:
In our limited time in Ghent we decided to do the history workshop and we're very very glad we did! It was an amazing experience where you not only learn about the history of chocolate and it's many uses, but get hands on experience on how those variations of chocolate were made. If you are looking for an informative and hands-on experience, there is very little (if anything at all) that can beat the chocolate history workshop!
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Summary:
This was so fun and unique! I loved learning about the history of chocolate and getting to make our own versions of 16th and 17th century chocolate items, along with trying the modern day pralines…so cool, interactive, and truly felt accomplished at the end!
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Summary:
This experience was so much fun! We learned about the 5000 year history of chocolate and Leo walked us through making our own chocolate the medieval way. It turned out pretty well! Then we tasted some of the chocolates their associates make. We really enjoyed it and would highly recommend.
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Know more about Ghent City Centre
In this hands-on Belgian chocolate workshop in Ghent City Centre, you’ll grind cacao beans into chocolate just like the Maya and Aztecs, create your own chocolate bar from scratch, taste a 5,000-year-old chocolate drink recipe, and sample artisanal Belgian chocolates and historic hot chocolate recipes.
No - this experience focuses on creating chocolate from scratch by grinding cacao beans and exploring chocolate history, not on technical confectionery skills such as tempering, melting, or shaping truffles and bonbons.
You don’t need special equipment - the workshop provides cacao products, water, and a hot chocolate recipe. Note the tasting room is kept around 18°C to protect chocolate quality, so bring a sweater if you get cold easily.
Yes - the interactive, workshop-learning format makes it family-friendly: you’ll work together to transform cacao beans into chocolate, taste historical chocolate drinks, and enjoy bonbons, including the iconic seashells, in a relaxed tasting room environment.
You’ll discover the history of Belgian chocolate from ancient drinks to the first bonbons, recreate a 17th-century hot chocolate recipe, enjoy a variety of Belgian artisanal chocolates from different makers, and leave with a chocolate bar you crafted yourself.
The activity takes place in a historic chocolate shop where accessibility can be limited; if you use a wheelchair or require support, contact the organiser beforehand so they can explore options with you. Service animals are allowed and public transport options are available nearby.
