At Wild Peaks Chocolates, we specialize inchocolate bonbons and bars made of unique nutty praliné chocolate. Praliné derives from “pralines”, but where do "pralines" come from and how did it originate? Let's dive into this European chocolate tradition.
What is pralines?
Pralines are a confection made with nuts (usually almonds or hazelnuts) that are coated in caramelized sugar. Although the exact origins of pralines are uncertain, they are believed to have originated in France in the early 17th century.
Who invented pralines?
The story goes that the Duke of Plessis-Praslin, a French diplomat and sugar enthusiast, asked his chef to create a new dessert that incorporated almonds and sugar. The chef experimented with different techniques and eventually came up with a method of caramelizing sugar and coating almonds with it. The resulting confection was named after the Duke, and became known as "pralines".
Pralines quickly became popular in France, and by the mid-18th century, they were being made in large quantities in the city of Montargis. The pralines made in Montargis were small, round candies made with almonds, sugar, and vanilla, and were known as "pralines de Montargis".
Over time, pralines spread throughout France and beyond, and different regions developed their own variations. In the south of France, for example, pralines were often made with hazelnuts instead of almonds, and were called "pralines du Sud". In the city of Lyon, pralines were made with rose water, giving them a distinctive floral flavor.
What are French praline chocolates then?
French praline chocolates have their roots in the early 20th century, when chocolatiers began experimenting with different fillings for their chocolates. The French version of praline chocolates is slightly different from the original praline confection described above, which is made with nuts and caramelized sugar.
The French version of praline chocolate is made with a combination of ground almonds and sugar that is cooked until it forms a smooth, creamy paste. This paste is then used as a filling for chocolates, which are often coated in milk or dark chocolate.
One of the most famous French praline chocolates is the Praliné, which was created by the French chocolatier, Auguste Poulain, in 1875. Poulain's Praliné was made with a mixture of ground almonds and sugar, and was used as a filling for his chocolates.
New chocolate praline flavors emerged
The Praliné quickly became popular in France, and other chocolatiers began creating their own versions of the filling. Over time, the recipe for Praliné evolved, with some chocolatiers adding hazelnuts or pistachios to the mixture.
In the early 20th century, French chocolatiers began combining Praliné with other ingredients to create new flavors. One popular variation is the Praliné feuilleté, which combines Praliné with layers of crispy, flaky pastry.
Today, French praline chocolates remain a beloved treat, and are a staple of many chocolate assortments. They are enjoyed around the world for their rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture.
At Wild Peaks Chocolates, we thrive to bring you the best of this tradition here in the Pacific Northwest! Do not wait to enjoy our praline handcrafted chocolates here in the PNW!
FAQs
Praliné is the result of a complex process: hazelnuts or almonds are roasted, before water and sugar are added. A kind of nougatine is created; it's then crushed and mixed to achieve a smooth, liquid texture.
What's the difference between chocolate and praline? ›
The key difference between the two is that a praline's main ingredient is nuts, whereas a chocolate truffle relies primarily on chocolate to showcase its flavour. In fact, a praline doesn't need chocolate in it at all, but we must admit we like to add a little every now and again.
What is a praline made out of? ›
What is a Praline? The praline is a southern tradition, commonly made with sugar, corn syrup, milk, butter, and pecan halves. It's a confection with a history as rich as its flavor.
What does praline chocolate taste like? ›
Praline chocolate is a confection characterised by its distinctive blend of textures and flavours, marrying the creaminess of chocolate with the crunchy richness of nuts and the sweetness of sugar.
Is Ferrero Rocher A praline? ›
THE GOLDEN EXPERIENCE
We roast only the finest hazelnuts, dip them in smooth chocolate and surround them with crispy wafers and hazelnut pieces. Ferrero Rocher pralines have been bringing the people you care about together for decades.
Is Lindt praline? ›
Discover our Lindt Pralines Du Confiseur - an exquisite selection of indulgent chocolate pralines, beautifully presented in a white and gold chocolate box. Since 1845, the Lindt Master Chocolatiers have combined their expertise with the highest quality ingredients to produce the finest chocolates.
What chocolate bar has praline? ›
Hazeleta Praline Chocolate Bar 60g.
Why are they called pralines? ›
Praline may have originally been inspired in France by the cook of Marshal du Plessis-Praslin (1602–1675), with the word praline deriving from the name Praslin. Early pralines were whole almonds individually coated in caramelized sugar, as opposed to dark nougat, where a sheet of caramelized sugar covers many nuts.
Are pralines healthy? ›
Praline pecans are also a healthy addition as pecans contain vitamins and minerals, and are also free from cholesterol so you can much on them without worry.
Why do pralines turn white? ›
Pralines are a much-appreciated festive treat, but come to think of it, they're simply delicious at any time of the year. When your pralines turn white, you are seeing the recrystallization of sugar. And you are right that honey does technically slow down the rate at which crystals form in candy.
Other terms for pralines include pecan pralines, pecan candy, plarines and pecan patties, to name a few. Modern day New Orleans pecan pralines are not very different than the ones made one hundred years ago.
Who makes chocolate pralines? ›
PRALINES. Crafted with passion by the Lindt Master Chocolatiers, our PRALINES are the result of precise chocolate-making techniques, using only the finest cocoa beans.
What is praline chocolate vs chocolate? ›
What is the difference between chocolate and praline? Chocolate is a solid or semi-solid state of matter that is made from cacao beans. Pralines are confections that are made with a thin shell of chocolate encasing a variety of fillings.
What is the Speciality of chocolate praline? ›
This luxurious blend of finely powdered nuts, typically hazelnuts or almonds, mixed with caramelized sugar, results in a smooth, flavorsome paste. Its seamless texture and exquisite taste are achieved through a meticulous grinding and blending process, a craft that demands expertise to ensure top-notch quality.
Are hazelnut and praline the same? ›
Pralines are small confections made from roasted hazelnuts or almonds, to which sugar syrup is added and which are caramelised by heating and stirring the mixture, according to the rules of the art, in a large copper turbine.
Is praline the French term for praline? ›
The powder made by grinding up such caramel-coated nuts is called pralin, and is an ingredient in many cakes, pastries, and ice creams. After this powder has been mixed with chocolate, it becomes praliné in French, which gave birth to what is known in French as chocolat praliné.
What's the difference between a praline and a bonbon? ›
Pralines feature a crunchy nut and sugar filling; truffles have a creamy ganache center; bonbons encompass a wide range of filled chocolates. Each of these treats offers a unique taste experience, making them beloved choices for indulging in the world of confectionery delights.
What is an example of a praline? ›
For example, in the United States, praline often refers to a candy made with brown sugar, butter and pecans. However, in European confectionery, particularly in France and Belgium, a praline typically refers to a nutty paste made with caramelized sugar and nuts.
