Chocolate history workshop Ghent

Overview

Available languages

English

1 hour 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

Ever wanted to make your own chocolate? In this hands-on workshop, you’ll grind cacao beans into chocolate, just like the Maya and Aztecs once did. Create your own chocolate bar and discover the pure flavours of cacao. As you work, you’ll also dive into the fascinating history of Belgian chocolate - from ancient chocolate drinks to the first bonbons.

During this workshop, 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

• Discover chocolate’s origins as medicine

• Enjoy chocolate bonbons, including the iconic seashells

Please note: This is not a chocolate-making class focused on techniques like tempering, melting, or shaping chocolate into truffles or bonbons. Instead, participants will create chocolate from scratch by grinding cacao beans.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Due to the fact that our shop is located in a historical building, it is not easily accessible by wheelchair. If you use a wheelchair or you have any other support needs, contact us beforehand so we can look together what we can do to make this experience accessible for you.

This activity takes place in a chocolate shop. The tasting room temperature is around 18°C to maintain the quality of the chocolate. We would advise to bring a sweater if you are easily cold.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

English guide is licensed/certified

Hot chocolate with recipe

water

cacao products

Belgian artisanal chocolates from different chocolate makers

Chocolate bar crafted by yourself from cacao beans

transportation

What To Expect

Personal small-group experience - welcome to our cozy tasting room, where we host small groups of up to 8 guests for an intimate and personalised experience. Different chocolatiers in one place -This tasting is a unique opportunity to sample artisanal chocolates from top chocolatiers located throughout Belgium- all within the span of just on hour. Explore the diversity of belgian chocolate and discover which style of chocolate fits you best, without the need to travel around. 3 activities in one -Our tasting isn’t just about savouring chocolates; it’s an interactive experience where you will delve into the rich history of Belgian chocolate. Learn everything about its origins and evolution. It’s the perfect alternative or complement to visiting a chocolate museum. Afterwards, there is also an opportunity to do some chocolate shopping if you wish. In the heart of Ghent -We are located in the historic centre of Ghent, around the corner of the Gravensteen castle & a 5-min walk from Graslei & Korenlei. This means the tasting can be easily combined with a day of sightseeing.

Options

ENGLISH

language

Reviews

4.97

32 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Birthday Chocolate Making Experience
marcojwhite,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We thoroughly enjoyed our experience, booked for my partner's birthday weekend. Liu was very friendly, funny, informative, and accommodating throughout, striking a great balance befitting of the occasion. We would certainly recommend this to anyone interested and wish to personally thank Liu for his time and passion.
Wonderful experience!
stephaniemQ8407ZL,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We attended the history of chocolate making workshop recently with Xiao and had such a wonderful time. It was the absolute highlight of our trip! The surroundings are so comfortable and serene, so we relaxed and learned a lot. The process of chocolate making is actually very mindful and we felt truly zen when we emerged. The chocolate itself is delicious and of course such high quality! I highly recommend this experience as very good value for money!
A Choco-lot of Fun!
291jobs,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Nice and small scale workshop, when we joined there was just one other couple. Very enthousiaste host with a lot of passion for the chocolate history. We enjoyed or +- 2hour workshop very much and are still enjoying the last pieces of our self-made chocolate bar.
Get ready to learn and get ready to grind in this very fun workshop!
567lionela,
Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
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!
Amazing!
Brianne F,
Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
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!
Chocolate facts and delicious fun!
kathleenmcnamara,
Sep 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
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.
Mum and daughter chocolate experience.
W3849OSkarenh,
Aug 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Amazing morning. We were warmly welcomed and were the only ones booked for the experience. We made chocolate à la 17th century and earned a lot about the history of cacao and its introduction to Europe. We tried hot cacao, cacao tea and made our own hot chocolate to drink as well as sampling some of the delicious chocolates from the store. Highly recommend. Thank you.
Very nice
Charlotte R,
Aug 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Had a very nice morning. We sat at the front of the window so had a nice view and enough views. The host explained everything clearly and we enjoyed the delicious chocolate. Definitely recommended!
Family recommended.
O3423DSrogerh,
Jul 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The chocolate workshop was interesting and informative. Liu did a great job of explaining the history and process of making chocolate. My wife and our two young teens were interested the entire time, as was I. We would recommend for anyone visiting Ghent.
Fun and educational
Macy N,
Jun 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This workshop stands out from others as you can learn to make chocolate from scratch (i.e. cocao beans). Leo was friendly and welcoming, he explained every steps of the chocolate making process and the history of chocolate. We also tasted the cocao fruit juice, cocao tea and the first drinking chocolate as we learned through the timeline of its development. Highly recommended!!