Calling all chocolate lovers! Whether you’re a long-time fan, an occasional dabbler, or
a novice chocolatier, you simply have to try Italian chocolate if you’ve got a sweet
tooth! It’s well known that Italian gastronomy is some of the best food in the world,
but what about the chocolate? Well, you can bet that Italian dolci won’t disappoint.
It’ll leave you wanting more! When you think of Italy, chocolate might not be the first
thing that comes to mind, but the country is packed with tasty chocolate-making
towns. Add a touch of sweetness to your itinerary and experience history, local
ingredients, and craftsmanship while biting into sweets. From grainy Modica chocolate
and nutty gianduja of Turin to fun chocolate festivals, there are plenty of chances to
taste exceptional chocolate while traveling through Italy.
If you’re headed to Italy, be sure to add some sweet stops to your itinerary. Just in
time for Valentine’s Day, we’re exploring the best chocolate-making towns in Italy.
Perugia
Home to the Baci Perugina, one of the country’s most iconic chocolate brands since
1922. These little “kisses” (baci is Italian for “kisses”) have tasty hazelnut and
chocolate flavors, wrapped up in a love note. According to legend, the messages
inside these bite-sized bites are inspired by a secret love affair between the married
Luisa Spagnoli, the creator of Baci, and Giovanni Buitoni, a co-founder of the Perugina
chocolate company. Since their affair was in secret, they used to exchange hidden
love notes within chocolates, leading to the tradition of including romantic messages
with every Baci chocolate. The idea for the love notes is believed to come from the
practice of Spagnoli secretly slipping love messages into chocolates meant for
Buitoni. Head to The Perugina Chocolate Factory to tour the Historic Museum,
sampling sweetness along the way, and visit the inside of the chocolate-making
factory. Take your experience to the next level and learn the secrets and techniques
of chocolate-making in a workshop or chocolate-making class.
Umbria’s capital city is also known for its summer jazz festival as well as its
chocolate. Perugia also hosts one of the largest chocolate festivals in Europe, the Eurochocolate Festival.
Turin
Piedmont’s capital city, Turin, is known for its spectacular architecture, culinary traditions, the Shroud of Turin, and, you guessed it, exceptional chocolate! In fact, Turin is known as the chocolate capital of Italy. The city is home to some of the country’s top chocolate makers and the annual CioccolaTo Festival.
In 1826, Pietro Caffarel started Caffarel, making high-quality products from local ingredients including hazelnuts and cacao beans. Using traditional chocolate-making methods, Caffarel is best known for its specialty treat Gianduiotto. The city’s iconic sweet treat is named after a mask that’s used in Turin’s Carnival.
Since 1878, Venchi has been making chocolate in Turin, selling many mouthwatering treats from liquids and bars to pralines and slabs. The range of flavors utilizes ingredients from the surrounding area including almonds, olive oil, pistachio, and hazelnuts. Venchi uses traditional chocolate-making methods and several Master Chocolatiers, also known as Maestri della cioccolata. Try the luxurious pure chocolate made with cacao sourced from South America and Africa with no added preservatives. The city has numerous cafes and chocolate shops to enjoy decadent hot chocolate and candies. Opened in 1763, Al Bicerin is one of the oldest cafes in Turin.
Tuscany
Tuscany’s Pistoia area has been dubbed the Chocolate Valley by Italy’s food and wine magazine, Gambero Rosso. It has some of the country’s best chocolatiers like Luca Mannooi, the award-winning Amadei, and the chocolate pioneer Roberto Catinari. Since the 17th century, Tuscany has been crafting delicacies with cacao. Today, Tuscany produces seductive chocolate that’s claimed to be some of the world’s best. For tasty chocolate bars, sample Torrefazione Trinci in Cascine di Buti – about an hour outside of Florence. If you’re a fan of chocolate eggs and handcrafted pralines, stop into Pasticceria Mannori in Prato. Indulge in gourmet chocolate perfectly paired with coffee at Slitti in Agliana. Or, head to Uzzano, to Casa Tuscani where they’re making tasty treats from Nicaraguan cacao in an organic chocolate factory.
If you wish to indulge while you are in Florence, head to Rivoire, the historic café and chocolate shop in Piazza della Signori. You will be in the company of Florentine nobility, famous artists, intellectuals, and gourmands.
Aosta Valley
Nestled in the Alps, close to the French border, the Aosta Valley is producing artisanal treats and Alpine-style chocolates. Known for high-quality chocolates made with locally sourced ingredients influenced by both Swiss and French traditions. Try the various flavors that incorporate truffles, hazelnuts, and mountain honey.
Taste the beauty and passion of Chef Pietro Bertolo at Maison du Chocolate. The renovated kitchen lab and chocolate shop are handcrafting seductive sweets including chocolate bars, praline, gelato, and more! Chocolaterie La Chocolatière is a family-owned business that’s been using the best raw materials in its artisan chocolate for over 40 years. Come sample the award-winning handmade chocolate that represents the flavors and history of this beautiful region.
Modica
For centuries, Sicily has been making chocolate, and Modica is the island’s chocolate-making capital. The city has a history of trading and chocolatiers, as the Spanish introduced the Aztec tradition to Modica upon returning from their voyage to the New World.
Nowadays, Modica hosts the ChocoModica Festival, celebrating Sicilian chocolates with its rich and various flavors! It’s home to the “cold chocolate” method in which sugar is ground into the chocolate without melting, resulting in a gritty texture. This texture is part of the signature style that you’ll find in Modica chocolate.
There are delicious bites and fine Italian chocolate throughout this ancient Sicilian town. Make sure to sample the “Cioccolato di Modica” made with an ancient Aztec method. And, try different chocolate flavors such as cinnamon, coffee, and red pepper.
Sweeten your itinerary with a visit to the oldest chocolate factory in Sicily! For over 150 years, Antica Dolceria Bonajuto has been crafting tasty treats and making exceptional chocolate at this family-run business! Enjoy a chocolatey hot drink, a tasty bar, or both?
Palermo
This Sicilian city is where the famous frutta alla Martorana marzipan was invented by the nuns at La Martorana. And, you’ll find these traditional desserts being sold in most of the local pastry shops. The sweet marzipan is made into realistic shapes from cherries and figs to clams and spaghetti. The brightly-colored sweet treats are a must-try when in Palermo!
Alba
Alba is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Barolo and Barbaresco wine vineyards. This charming town is all about chocolate, food, and wine. Need we say more?! One of the most recognized sweet treats is from Alba. Ferrero Rocher are the tasty morsels with hazelnuts that are wrapped in signature gold paper. Pietro Ferrero founded his company Ferrero in 1942. It’s expanded to create various products and some of the most recognized sweet treats around including Kinder Sorpreso, Tic Tac, and Nutella! Yes, Alba is the birthplace of Nutella. No matter what sweet treat you decide to snack on, make sure to pair it with a glass of Barolo. You’re in Italy, after all.
Allow us to add some sweet stops along your travels as you visit picturesque towns and rich culinary heritage. Get in touch today and we’ll start curating your next Italian getaway!
Leave a Reply