From more than 400 entries, ‘the general public’ has made a final selection of 5 contenders for the Made in Limburg Award 2023, awarded for the very best product manufactured here in this province. Today we introduce you to the 5 finalists who will compete for the main prize on November 21: (1) Chocolaterie Boon from Hasselt, which markets the Limburg Vlaai pralines.
“Our product is the ‘vlaai pralines’, a specialty of pralines with flavors of Limburg pies,” explains Inge Lijnen, manager of Boon. “The pralines are shaped like a mini pie and are packed in a pie box. Everything is developed and made in our own studio, at Chocoladehuis Boon in Hasselt.” (recently named Chocolatier of the Year by Gault&Millau).
“We came up with the idea when we had a lot of success with our ‘Smurf pie Easter eggs’. They were eggs with the flavors of Limburg Smurf pie, more specifically apricot with white chocolate and whipped cream. From there we started to develop other flavors of pies. into pralines. We suddenly also based the shape and packaging on this concept.”
“We are very proud of our creation because, as true Limburgers, we can highlight our regional products,” says chocolatier Patrick Mertens. “We all grew up with flan, which symbolizes the warm welcome, conviviality and hospitality in our province. It is fantastic that we can link this typical Limburg product to our passion for chocolate and thus promote this delicacy of our region, both among Limburgers themselves, who are proud of the products from here, and among tourists, who want to take something typical of Limburg home with them. In short: anyone who wants to put Limburg’s hospitality, warmth and conviviality on the map should definitely vote for the flan pralines from Boon!”
You can vote via this link!
