Praline

Pronounced pray-LEEN in English, prah-LEEN in French.

Perhaps the most complex term in the chocolate world, because it has so many different meanings.

(1) The first pralines were whole almonds caramelised in sugar, they were named after the French soldier and diplomat César, Duc de Choiseul, Comte du Plessis-Praslin who lived in the town of Montargis from 1598 to 1675.

(2) In Germany and Belgium, a praline is any filled chocolate, many of which are filled with ground nuts (praline paste). While the French-speaking Belgians call a filled chocolate a praline, the French-speaking French, who invented the caramelized nut praline, can also buy chocolates filled with praline paste called pralines. In general, though, the French refer to assorted chocolates as chocolates or bonbons.

(3) In the UK, the term can refer to either the filling for chocolates, or less commonly, to the original almond pralines.

(4) In Louisiana and Texas, a praline (pronounced PRAW-leen or PRAY-leen) is a flat, round, creamy sweet patty dotted with crunchy pecans. Although it is called a praline, it has absolutely nothing in common with French (or any European) pralines, except for the use of sugar and nuts.