Issue 15: Turin, Italy
Hello!
A few years ago, I did a tour of Europe, following the history of chocolate from the Basque country, through Spain, France, Netherlands, and Belgium. One of the stops I was most excited about, and that I just recently realised I hadn’t shared with you yet, was Torino (Turin in English).
While tourists flock to Rome, Venice and Florence, Turin should be up there on your list. It was the first capital of Italy and is not only a beautiful and inviting city, but is full of incredible food experiences and, most importantly, has a very rich chocolate history.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll share more about Turin’s chocolate scene. Below you will also find your regular hot chocolate news from around the world.
Thanks for following. If you could share this list with one other hot chocolate lover you know that would be very much appreciated. The more the merrier!
Giselle
How to order a hot chocolate in Italy: “Vorrei una cioccolata calda, per favore”. If you would like it with whip cream (correction, you do want it with whip cream) then add “con panna”.
Recent posts
Guido Gobino
Guido Gobino Chocolate is a family-owned business with a big reputation and excellent chocolates. I had a hazelnut overdose with a gianduja hot chocolate (made with chocolate and hazelnuts), giandujotti (again, chocolate and hazelnuts) and drooling over jars of gianduja chocolate spread. I don’t think I could ever get enough.
Barrati & Milano
It’s been a while since I got tipsy by hot chocolate (Brazil….the memories). It happened again, this time at the famous and historic Baratti & Milano. Amaretto and I became very well acquainted…at 3pm (much to the amusement of the staff). It’s not my fault though, it’s the hot chocolate’s fault.
Royal Palace of Turin
Well, I wasn’t quite an official guest of the palace, just a customer at the café (maybe one day…). I came for the full Merenda Reale experience (royal snack of biscuits meant to be dunked in hot chocolate). They were out of snacks, so I had the hot chocolate and pretended to be royalty for a few minutes.
I’ll share more reviews from Turin next week.
And if you are visiting Turin
The official tourism site is very good
We should make the Merenda Reale global
Juventus soccer team plays out of Turin (I used to collect their stickers)
Turin has the best (and biggest!) produce markets Porta Palazzo.
And some music from Turin to list to while sipping.
This Week’s Hot Chocolate News
Lurka won the European Rising Star award at the Academy of Chocolate and I now need to go and visit (and taste their Basque inspired bars).
So many hot chocolate cafes opening in the UK. Here is one in Kent called Cocoba and Kakaw is also also on my list
You can sign up for a chocolate meditation session at De Chocolade Meisjes in Eindhoven
Chemicals in chocolate helped scientists creating a coating that destroys body odour.
The Museums at Washington and Lee University hosted an event called “Choc-Full of History” that featured centuries-old hot chocolate recipes and a chance to handle some historic ceramics made for chocolate beverages.
More articles on chocolate grown in petri dishes (and I still don’t like it).
Has anyone tried making hot chocolate with potato milk? Apparently, it’s the next milk (with a carbon footprint 75% lower than cow’s milk). Personally, I still think cows do it best.
More intense roasting of cocoa beans lessens bitterness
If you are a fan of Ferrero Rocher chocolates, here is a link to their latest sustainability plans.
The EU has new rules for companies to respect human rights and environment in global value chains (including cocoa).
For Colombia, cacao is more than just a crop to export – it’s a symbol for peace, prosperity and opportunity.
If you are in Paris, and at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, stop by Sacre Willy’s little stall for hot chocolate using their amazing milk from the Hautes Alpes mountains (they are actually a milk company)
Any links you want to share? Send them to me here.
Last but not least, if you liked this newsletter, could you please share it with a few other hot chocolate loving friends?
Thanks for reading and have a great week!
Giselle
Chief Chocolate Sipper at www.ultimatehotchocolate.com.
Changing the way we view hot chocolate, one sip at a time.