Turin Chocolates - The Finest Gourmet Chocolates

It was in Turin that eating chocolate, as opposed to drinking chocolate, was invented by a certain Mr Doret - the Willy Wonker of Italian chocolate.

The praline, much copied by the Swiss, was invented in Turin. What the Swiss are to watches the Torinese are to fine chocolates.

Many of the chocolates are made by hand by tiny producers who make chocolates for sometimes only twenty or so local shops and a few restaurants.

The chocolate is so fresh it's often only sold in the winter as it doesn't keep well in summer. I despair when I’m not in Italy!

Except for Caffarel very few of the best names can be bought outside of Italy

Since writing the above we have now opened a sister site that allows you to at least buy a great Turin chocolate liqueur online.

Best of all the chocolates, and I have eaten plenty in order to be sure, is the Gianduiotto. Peyrano Pfatish and Gobino make the best. Caffarel too is good and is actually available outside of Italy.

Gianduitto is a delightful mix of toasted Piedmont hazelnuts and cocoa. Taste it once and you're hooked.

The creamy version which is also from Piedmont and has conquered the world is Nutella, made by Ferrero Rocher chocolates, but it is not a patch on the Peyrano and Gobino creations. Caffarel is another great local name in chocolates and the pictures on this page are of some of their finest creations.

A great way to explore the best of Turin’s gourmet chocolates is to buy the Chocopass. This is similar to a wine route tour and allows you to visit the best of Turin's chocolate makers and sample the exquisite chocolates on offer. The pass can be bought for 24 hours (EUR10) or 48 hours (EUR15).

If you love chocolate then you must visit during the two week gourmet chocolate festival in March. For chocoholics this is pure heaven, in addition to happy memories it will also ensure you take home a few extra pounds.

Oh and don’t forget to have some chocolate in liquid form as well with a glass of Bicerin. The Bicerin is a dreamy delight – a Piedmont chocolate original made of layers of coffee, chocolate and cream. The best place for one, as the name would suggest, is the favourite haunt of Puccini and Alexander Dumas the Al Bicerin in Piazza Consolata.

I hope to see you soon in Piedmont - If you enjoy gourmet chocolates Piedmont is the place to be.

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