Chocolate runs in Turin's veins. Turin's undisputed love for chocolate dates to the 1500s, and a city tour to discover delicious curiosities and historic chocolate makers is an enjoyable way to visit the city.
The beginning of this story dates to 1560 when Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia served the Turinese a steaming cup of hot chocolate to celebrate the transfer of the capital from Chambery to Turin. Since then, it has been loving at first sight, or rather, at first sip.
The tradition of chocolate artisans has never stopped, on the contrary, over time it has been enriched with a passion that is passed down from generation to generation. The people of Turin fell in love with this “black gold” and the consumption of chocolate, for many years limited to the beverage obtained from cocoa beans, became an opportunity for Turin to experiment, demonstrating its propensity for innovation. Since then, chocolate shops and cafes have spread across the Piedmont capital, serving chocolate in different variations: drinks, chocolates, bars, etc. Some of these historic cafés are still open today and they serve some of these traditional chocolates: “gianduiotti”, “cri-cri”, “cremini” and “diablottini”, the first chocolates in history that were invented in Turin.
The chocolate symbol of the city of Turin
It was in the mid-nineteenth century that Paul Caffarel, entrepreneur, and owner of a candy factory in Turin, devised a recipe with a mixture of cocoa, water, sugar, and vanilla in a machine capable of working the dough. And that's how the “Gianduiotto” was born for the first time, the first chocolate to be individually packaged. And that until today is known as the symbol of the city of Turin. And it is known to this day as the symbol of the city of Turin.
Why is it named Gianduiotto? It was the famous Piedmontese Carnival mask “Gianduja” who threw the boat-shaped chocolates into the crowd during a parade. Since then, they inherited the name of the mask “Gianduja” and became the famous “Gianduiotti”.
Another delicacy that you cannot miss when visiting the city of Turin is the famous hot drink called "Becerin". Bicerin is a traditional hot drink and was born in Turin in the 18th century. It is a delight made with hot chocolate to which coffee and cream are added. It is served unsweetened and should be drunk without shaking too much.
Why is it called “Bicerin”? Bicerin in Piedmontese literally means "small cup". The Torinese drink is served hot and in a round, transparent glasses.
It is unthinkable to say that you have visited Turin without having known and tasted some of these delicious delicacies. If you are curious about the history that links Turin to chocolate, this tour will take you to the discovery of “Ciocolaté” (as chocolate is called in the Turin dialect). This itinerary will take you to discover the history, traditions, and creations of Turin's talented master chocolatiers. You will discover how the sublime art of chocolate has been intertwined for centuries with that of the city of Turin and Piedmont.
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