Italian Food Specialty: Nocciolini di Chivasso (Piedmont, Italy)

[Piemonte] We’ve stumbled upon a wonderful specialtyfrom Italy’s Piedmont Region. Recognized by the trademark pink bag that proudly displays the Chivasso Cathedral, this is a dolce that stands up quite well against some of the more elaborate artisan confections of today.
 
In its utter simplicity, Nocciolini di Chivasso is the pride and joy of a Master Confectioner who, in the 1800’s, did something very uncomplicated:  he mixed the regions Hazelnuts with precise amounts of eggwhite and sugar to create Il piccolo dolce (the little sweet) with the big flavor that can be eaten by the handful.  Still produced by hand, the buttons, as they’re referred to, are equally satisfying with espresso or Porto.
 
The tradition of Nicciolini di Chivasso

From history we learn that the “Nocciolini di Chivasso” were invented back in 1810, when the master confectioner Giovanni Podio joined the hazelnuts of Piedmont with the other two ingredients, thus obtaining the magical mixture. But, in 1904, it was Nazzaro, his son-in-law, who registered the patent at the Trade Ministry of the Kingdom of Italy, under the original name of “noasetti”, and, in 1900 and 1911, presented them at the trade fairs of Paris and Turin, respectively. The enterprising confectioner, who abandoned the original tin container in favour of the traditional pink bag, was appointed “Royal Family supplier” by Vittorio Emanuele III of Savoy. The Fascist period swept away their foreign name and replaced it with the Italian name “Nocciolini”.

The Dolciaria Fontana in via Ivrea 31 has inherited this ancient tradition, dedicating itself to the production of the “Nocciolini di Chivasso” and the hazelnut cake, thus becoming an ambassador of the unique, unmistakable taste of the products of Chivasso.

The Details

Dolciaria Fontana di Genisio Anna Maria
Via Ivrea n° 31
10034 Chivasso (TO) - Italy
Tel.: (+39) 0119102661
Official Website: http://www.nocciolinifontana.it/en/chisiamo.html

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by Nancy S. Mure