Like a butterfly, not sparing its wings, flies into the light, so chocolate gourmets, not sparing their own stomachs, flock to Turin from around the world in late November. According to statistics CioccolaTò Turin Chocolate Festival annually collects more than 700 from thousands of people, and in just ten days more than 30 tons of chocolate delicacies are eaten here. However, first things first.
Due to its history and rich architecture, the city is often called the "cradle of Italian freedom" and the "capital of European Baroque". Tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world come here every year to see the famous shroud, ancient university, museums, castles, galleries and other attractions of Turin.
Turin Veneto turns into a huge fair
But today it’s not about that, but about ... chocolate, which made this Italian city the center of the chocolate world. Therefore for many Turin Chocolate Festival became the most coveted of all Italian festivals.
The famous festival "CioccolaTò" in Turin began to be held since 2003. In the last decade of November, and sometimes March (this is how its organizers decide), the city and its environs are literally saturated with the smell of chocolate.
It all started with a cup of hot chocolate ...
Although the holiday itself is only 14 years old, the love story of the townspeople for this dessert began as early as the 16th century (more precisely in 1560). It was then that the Duke Emanuel of Savoy declared Turin the capital of his duchy. In honor of this significant event, the Duke decided to present a cup of hot chocolate to the city as a gift. Then no one suspected that after several centuries, thanks to this symbolic gift, Turin would become the main city in the chocolate world of Europe.
The first festival "CioccolaTò" in Turin was held in 2003
For centuries, Turin confectioners "polished" their skills, so it is not at all surprising that almost all the most famous masters of chocolate were born in this Italian province. Favorite sweets from a mixture of pralines with nuts and chocolate - gianduotto - were also created here. And such chocolate brands as Ferrero, Strello and Kaffarel do not need advertising at all. It is worth noting that at one time, masters from all over the world gathered in Turin to learn the secrets of making chocolate, including the Swiss confectioners famous today.
For centuries, Turin confectioners "polished" their skills
Devotion to tradition and more
It is estimated that only in Turin itself up to 85 thousand tons of products made of chocolate are produced annually, and this is 40% of all production in Italy. Moreover, along with already well-known brands in the city, the artisanal production of chocolate is also preserved, which is in no way inferior in quality to its untwisted "brothers." The trick is that during its production both of them strictly follow the old traditions that have been tested for centuries. Although the element of novelty is also present here, because the world does not stand still. The confectioners of Turin, without departing from the traditions, nevertheless keep their “noses in the wind”, which helps them to sensitively catch current trends and keep up with the times.
At the festival, chocolate masters present their best new products.
And now back to the festival ... During its holding, and Turin Chocolate Festival lasts ten days, the main town square Vittorio Veneto turns into a huge fair. From the abundance of chocolate presented here, its visitors simply go around spinning. Along with the already beloved confectionery brands, chocolate masters present their best new products. It is not surprising that chocolate is considered the main souvenir of Turin.
From the quantity and variety of chocolate, children are delighted
Chocolate card "ChocoPass"
Another interesting feature invented by local confectioners: during the chocolate festival, a special card is sold here - "ChocoPass" (in previous years it cost 12 euros). If you take into account that the average cost of confectionery at the fair is several euros, then this is really a profitable purchase. The card allows its holder to taste a wide variety of types of chocolate products in the city's confectionery facilities over several days more than 2 dozen times. And, in addition, at a discount to purchase your favorite chocolate varieties and wonderful chocolate souvenirs, which, as you know, the city of Turin is famous for.
Confectioners of Turin sacredly protect ancient traditions
Once again about the fair
What Italian holiday does without entertainment, performances and cultural programs, fun games and competitions? And Turin is no exception, because on chocolate festival guests from all over the world come together. But the holiday brings special joy to the smallest sweet tooth - children. Indeed, in addition to chocolate animals, castles and mountains of sweets, you can participate in workshops, see how chocolate is prepared, and get acquainted with its production.
In Turin annually produced up to 85 thousand tons of chocolate products
