Godiva
Godiva is a high-quality brand of chocolate from Belgium, it is considered one of the best makers of chocolate the world over. Nearly 100 years in the business is proof enough that they are certainly master chocolatiers. With shops and outlets in over 450 across the globe, there are lots of happy customers out there.
The History of Godiva
It all began in Brussels, Belgium with a man named Pierre Draps. In a bid to delight his beautiful young wife, he would make her chocolates in their kitchen at home. They were so delicious that they made a business from selling them. Thus, the Godiva company was founded in 1926 and was a family-run business, made up of Draps, his wife, and their three children.
The story takes a bit of a sad turn when Pierre dies in 1937, with his wife not long after him. The three children were young and a bit inexperienced but with the help and guidance of a family friend managed to continue the excellent work started by Draps. In 1945 the first Godiva shop was opened in Brussels. By 1972 the Godiva family had opened shops in Paris and New York.
In 1968 Godiva was appointed the Royal warrant of Belgium and this gave the brand an extra special seal of royal approval. Cementing their ever-growing popularity and reputation as master chocolatiers.
Where does the name Godiva come from?
The name Godiva is taken from the Legend of Lady Godiva. Draps and his wife were very taken by the story and the values of Lady Godiva herself. She was the embodiment of beauty, strength, and benevolence. These values were what they wanted their brand to represent and thus the name and logo were born. The iconic gold box with the figure of a naked woman on top of a horse is the bold logo for Godiva treats.
Emphasizing beauty, strength, courage, and generosity, it sums up the Godiva values and the ethos behind the company as well as the gesture when you give or receive a box of their luxurious chocolates.
What is so special about Godiva?
Godiva chocolates are synonymous with luxury and special occasions. They are most well known for the Truffe Originale, a fine dark chocolate mousse rolled in pure cocoa. This remains as one of their best sellers. Draps also perfected praline, using roasted almonds that he ground into a fine paste to mix with the lush dark chocolate.
Godiva Product Range
Available to buy online or in many outlets across the world, we can now all indulge our tastebuds with a box of these delicious chocs. If you are new to the brand, then I suggest starting with a box from The Gold Collection. A box with 24 pieces will cost you an eye-watering £35.00, so clearly a big treat or gift.
But you will delight in the wonderful array of luxe chocolates that include mouth-watering selections of creamy praline, smooth caramel, nutty noisette, and intense ganache enrobed in dark, milk, and white outer layer of crisp flavourful chocolate.
The Legend of Lady Godiva
As the story goes, The Legend of Lady Godiva is a tale of folklore from Coventry, England in the 11th Century. Historically the story changes and may well have been embellished over the years from teller to teller. But as legend has it, Lady Godiva was married to a shrewd landowner, Leofric Earl of Mercia.
Lady Godiva was a very kind and generous woman, that devoted her time to helping people less fortunate and was a patron of the church and monastery. She was much loved by the local townspeople due to her beauty and modesty. She was a very generous person and had dedicated her life to the poor and weak.
When she learned that her husband was imposing extremely high taxes on the townspeople, she implored him to stop. Leofric got tired of her complaints and said that if she were to ride through the town on a horse whilst naked, he would lower the taxes.
Leofric had misjudged his wife's benevolence and the love shown to her from her people. She put her modesty aside and issued an order that everyone in the town should go inside their houses with all doors and shutters closed while she made the ride naked on her horse.
Only one man was brave enough to look through the window and he was named 'Peeping Tom', from where the nickname has come and remains up to this day. This is where the legend of Lady Godiva comes from, putting her own modesty aside to come to the aid of others. Lady Godiva has been made a symbol of strength, beauty, and generosity. These are the attributes that impressed Draps and his wife and from where the Godiva brand was born.
