Lip-smacking Salon du Chocolat on way

CHOCOLATE lovers are licking their lips in anticipation of the end of the month when the Salon du Chocolat opens in Paris on October 28 until November 1.

The show celebrates everything surrounding the art of chocolate-making - such as this chocolate dress, right - and we thought to take a look at how popular chocolate really is and the different chocolate trends in France and Britain.

Europe in general is a big fan of chocolate, as the majority of in the top 20 chocolate-eating countries are European, consuming 48% of the world’s cocoa.

But France eats much less than the UK – although they would say of better quality, as French people love dark chocolate. A survey said 57% liked dark chocolate as against 54% for milky. In both, the French also advertise the source of the beans.

The Confédération des Chocolatiers et Confiseurs de France says the average French person consumes 4.2kg of chocolate per year, whereas the average Brit puts away 11kg.

However, a global survey that found fresh fruit was the one snack most people would choose first was overturned in France where people opted for chocolate (21%) for its ‘taste pleasure’ ahead of fruit (12%) and yogurt (11%)

A #Chocolate Fashion Show and More at the Salon du Chocolat 2015: http://t.co/hV9gtJbfWi #Paris #ChocolateWeek pic.twitter.com/tzMjbg1TFm— BonjourParis.com (@Bonjour_Paris) October 14, 2015

Despite consuming less, France is a bigger producer, making 420,315 thousand tonnes in 2012 compared to the 358,770 that Britain produced. The industry employs 30,000 people in France.

This is the Salon du Chocolat’s 21st year and it welcomes 220 chocolatiers, pastry chefs and confectioners, some of whom will be demonstrating recipes and teaching workshops.

There is also a chocolate fashion show, where the models are dressed in chocolate-inspired outfits, the Cocoa Show, full of music and dance from cocoa producing countries and a special kids’ room where they get a chef’s hat and apron to make their own chocolate delights.

A new element for 2015 is the World Chocolate Masters final, an international competition of 20 of the world’s most gifted chocolatiers to crown the best creation based on the theme of ‘Inspiration from Nature’.

#FrenchFoodieFriday "What is health? It's Chocolate!" Wise words. Head to Paris' @salonduchocolat 10/28-11/1 pic.twitter.com/50kdzgCKwy— RendezVous in France (@FranceTourismUS) October 9, 2015

The show is at Porte de Versailles in Paris and will cost €14 for adults and €6,50 for children aged 3 – 12. There are further Salon du Chocolat events across France in the coming months, including in Lyon (November 6-8), Marseille (February 14-16 2016) and Toulouse (March 2016) as well as in Monaco (October 10-12).

There are shows in 31 cities on four continents and they draw a total of 7.4million visitors. For more information visit www.salonduchocolat.fr

Chocolate dress photo: ©Raffoux - Dounia Coesens - Sébastien Bouillet