Gianduiotto Torinese al Nocciola Piemonte
Turin, Piedmont
Turin's emblematic chocolate-hazelnut confection — the world's first individually wrapped chocolate, created in 1865 during Lent when cacao was in short supply and ground Langhe hazelnuts were used to extend the chocolate. The gianduiotto's shape (a flattened boat or upturned gondola) is created by extruding the paste with a special nozzle, not moulding. The paste is a specific combination of cacao, sugar, cocoa butter, and finely ground Tonda Gentile Trilobata hazelnut (the Langhe variety, IGP). The hazelnut must be minimum 30% by weight — less and it's just chocolate with a hazelnut note.