By the early 1950’s, Michelle Ferrero, son of Pietro, took over what had become an industrial production facility.  After the worldwide acceptance of Nutella (it is said to outsell peanut butter) Ferrero introduced Kinder Chocolates and Tic-Tac mints.  In twenty years these products were extremely popular in Europe and became known all over the world.  In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Tic-Tac was introduced to the United States.  Shortly after, state of the art production facilities were built there that equaled the factories then in Italy, Germany and France.  Tic-Tac remains the best selling breath mint in the U.S.  Quickly the new Ferrero Rocher line of high end chocolates joined the other quality products and earned increased popularity.  Known more in Europe, Ferrero also produces the Mon Cheri and Pocket Coffee products, but it is expected these will win world wide demand very quickly.

Chocolate found its way to Italy in the 16th century once Spanish importers brought it back from Mexico and the New World.  In 16th century Europe, as there, it was served as a hot drink, and was reserved for the wealthy or privileged.  Today in Torino (Turin), a yearly celebration lets Piemonte showcase their products and honor this “food of the gods.”  In the Piazza Vittorio Veneto visitors will be graced with all things chocolate.  A cup of local hot chocolate is thick enough to stand a spoon in, and will banish all thoughts of the flavored milk you might have tasted.  When solid chocolate was invented at the end of the 18th century, a new world of flavor combinations opened.  Today as then, a regional favorite of Piemonte is a mixture of hazelnut paste and chocolate.

Specialties have been created by several famous chocolate producers in Torino, and whether you visit a shop, factory or family owned sweet shop, they will amaze and delight your senses.  Gelato (grown up ice cream), Alpino (liqueur filled), Baci (“kisses” of hazelnut and chocolate), Torta Sabauda (Torino’s own very rich frosted cake) and chef’s creations like roast venison with chocolate sauce will satisfy even the most ravenous chocolate monster within.  To make sure, purchase a “ChocoPass” from the local tourist office and you will sample a wide range of delicacies from several locations.

Chocolate events held in many of the wineries, shops or restaurants let the visitor learn how to pair wine and chocolate.  Bitter chocolates blend deliciously with local Barolo wine.  Every chocolate from milk to darkest flavors will combine with a particular local wine ranging from young fruity reds to aged, full bodied vintages.  For the connoisseur and lover of life, Piemonte may well be a modern Shangri-La.

The exhibition describes the history of the chocolate, from the birth in the deep jungle of Equador through the preparations of the columbians, illustrated by pictures, videos and text of the industriel work and the consumption of chocolate.

The europeans got to know chocolate in the 15.-17. century, where it arrived through Spain and fast became a fashionable beverage reserved for the high society. Fine porcellain were made, masterly decorated cups so that the this new beverage could be drunk under the best conditions.

In the following century during the innovation of technology, the chocolate developed from being a fashionable beverage to become available to everyone in eatable pieces.

The exhibition at Ferrero displays amongst others historical equipment used in the production, and several paintings showing the earlier consumption of this new fashion-symbol.

Address:
Fondazione Ferrero
Strada di Mezzo, 44 – Alba(Cuneo)

Opening hours: tuesday-friday 15.00 – 19.00 pm, saturday and sunday 10.00 – 19-00 pm, monday closed.

Free admittance.