Belgian Cuisine: Among the most important and characteristic products of Belgian cuisine are: chocolate, beer, the renowned Brussels sprout, French fries and Gaufres. Along with Switzerland, Belgium is the nation in the world with the greatest tradition in the chocolate. As first course the Belgians often eat soups and hot soups. Among the most popular dishes: croquettes crevettes (shrimp croquettes), waterzooi (Gent soup with chicken or fish and vegetables), asparagus à la flamande, Christmas bread (cougnou à la Noel), the Belgian gratin (endive based), Stoemp (a dish based on potatoes, carrots and onion sauce with regional variations), Salade Liégeoise (a salad with green beans, lard, onions and vinegar). Among the Belgian sweets can cite the Gaufres (in other countries are also called waffel), pods shaped honeycomb stuffed with jam, sugar or melted chocolate; the Speculoos, sweet and crunchy biscuits flavored with cinnamon; Gracht Brood, a sweet baked sprinkled with caramel, and Praline (chocolate sweets), and the Fromage Blanc, a fresh cheese that is often served as dessert after being sprinkled with sugar. Excellent is the Belgian beer: they produces more than 400 different types.