Cocoa: from Mayan plants to Italian tables
Because we know, chocolate is a moment of tenderness for ourselves. It is a moment of love that people allow themselves and it is an expression of immense sweetness when it is given as a gift.
It can no longer be done without. Chocolate has a taste that never tires and that continually induces the sin of gluttony.
The human palate is too weak to resist chocolate. this is why with the passage of time all over the world and in all regions of Italy, we have found a way to include it also during courses. It is prepared in many ways and different variations are created.
The first lucky ones to know it were the Maya who have always used the cocoa plant and immediately benefited from the dark powder which then literally drove the world crazy.
The European "thank you" instead goes to Christopher Columbus, the first to have tasted the cocoa plant and imported it to Europe without too much enthusiasm… before it became a drug!
Food of the gods. Sweet addiction
Yes, because there is the "chocolatism”, A term used clinically to specify a chocolate addiction. But who doesn't suffer from it?
There is a valid reason why the people who used the cocoa plant called it "food of the gods". Well: Italy is one of the countries that just does not give up on this delicious production.
The first most famous chocolate in Italy was that of Modica, in Sicily, in 1519. Older and which has always kept its artisan work to satisfy the palate of the Italians. In fact, Sicily still retains an important mark for its passion and cocoa processing.
Immediately followed by that of Turin, in Piedmont in 1600 with big names such as Caffarel or Turin productions. Here the famous Gianduiotto is born, a typical local liqueur with a unique flavor and much loved by the artist Andy Warhol.
Although many years late, one cannot fail to mention the Perugina chocolate of Umbrian origin, which made the history of chocolate during the 1900s by taking care of the Italians. It continues to be a symbol for lovers thanks also to the original idea of inserting love phrases inside the chocolates.
Chocolate Fairs
Italians organize chocolate fairs at any time of the year. Among the most famous is the Florentine fair "Chocolate Fair" and the Cioccoshow which takes place annually in the city of Bologna. You can't miss the Choccobarocco di Modica, the chocolate fair in Cervia, and the showchocolate in Naples.
The most important fair for variety and most crowded by gourmands is undoubtedly the Eurochocolate in Perugia. This attracts a large number of visitors, vendors and cocoa-savvy artisans every year.
During the fairs it is possible to discover all the uses of cocoa and taste chocolate of all kinds and origins.
http://www.eurochocolate.com/ita/home.php
