Gianduja is a chocolate confection made from hazelnut paste and sweet chocolate, available in many parts of Italy and Switzerland. It comes in various forms, including spreadable versions and ice cream, and is associated with Piedmontese cuisine. Hazelnuts and chocolate have been combined for centuries in various desserts.
Gianduja is a chocolate confection traditionally made from hazelnut paste and sweet chocolate, although several variations have been developed. It is also known as gianduia and some versions date back to the 1800s. This confection is readily available in many parts of Italy and Switzerland and is also exported to some regions of the world. Some of the best gianduja comes from Swiss chocolatiers, chocolate professionals who take their confectionery very seriously.
Classically, gianduja includes a combination of sweet chocolate which can be milk or dark with hazelnut paste. Variations include versions made with pieces or halves of hazelnuts, as well as almonds and other nuts. Traditional versions have a very rich, creamy flavor, whether made with milk or dark chocolate, along with the complex signature sweetness that can be seen in many European chocolates.
Some companies make a spreadable version of gianduja that can be used for toast, added to desserts, and used in a variety of other creative ways. Spreads are often available in grocery stores and range from dark, slightly bitter versions to rich, creamy, very sweet varieties. Gianduja bars come in bite-sized pieces, as do larger candy bars, and some have features like layers of chocolate and hazelnut cream. Even the ice cream packs can be flavored with gianduja.
This chocolate specialty is particularly associated with Piedmontese cuisine, and in this region of Italy, many shops carry gianduja. Some offer chocolate tours, encouraging visitors to make their way through an array of shops and stores to sample different versions. Some of these versions are only available in Italy because they don’t ship well and visitors interested in chocolate can also take advantage of the opportunity to taste other Italian chocolate specialties.
The combination of hazelnuts and chocolate is very old. Various cupcakes, tarts and other chocolate treats often involve a mixture of hazelnuts and chocolate or almonds and chocolate. In the gianduja, the creamy sweetness of the chocolate offsets the creaminess of the fat-rich hazelnuts for a very creamy, warming and very richly flavored dish. A small piece of this confection of chocolate can go a long way, as many tasters have discovered.
People interested in trying this delicacy can consult a local grocery or import store to see if there are any varieties available. Some stores can place orders by special request as long as their distributors have access to the right importers.
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