Looking for the best Italian chocolate brands to buy?
Chocolate arrived in Italy as early as the 16th century. Italian explorer Christopher Columbus brought cocoa beans to Europe through Spain.
Basically, chocolate is food from cocoa first used in Mesoamerica way back 4,000 years ago and by the Mayans 3,000 years ago. The cacao seeds are roasted and ground, made into either solid, liquid, or paste.
Today, chocolate is not only considered a sweet treat but also part of many Italian culinary recipes.
While Turin is dubbed as Italy’s chocolate capital, Modica in Sicily and Perugia in Umbria are also known as great chocolate producers. Together, they make Italy the third largest chocolate producer in Europe, after Germany and Belgium – according to Investopedia.
Italian chocolate is one of best in the world and this is hardly surprising considering the meticulous process Italian chocolate makers take to produce such world-class delights.
From choosing the highest-quality cocoa to blending its flavor with nuts and fruits, to putting on the aroma and the perfect creaminess and texture – Italian chocolate guarantees nothing but the best taste.
Best Italian Chocolate Brands
Italian brands are famous around the world for their high-quality standard products. Chocolates are no exception.
Italian chocolate brands are hands down among the world’s best. So, when in Italy, make sure to buy Italian chocolates to indulge in this sweet delight and bring home several bars to your friends and loved ones.
Let’s take a look at 10 of the best chocolate brands from Italy you must try.
1. Ferrero Rocher
This premium-quality crunchy ball of chocolate and hazelnut is surely one of the top Italian chocolate brands. You can tell by its packaging that it’s a fascinating and sophisticated confectionery.
First coming out in the market in 1979, Ferrero Rocher is a product of Ferrero Company. Their chocolate factory is located in Alba, a small town in the hilly part of Piedmont. Interestingly, the production of Ferrero Rocher has remained a secret.
This delightful treat is made layer by layer from a whole roasted hazelnut inside, shelled with chocolate and hazelnut wafer, totally covered with milk chocolate with bits of hazelnuts, wrapped in a golden foil, and lastly – snugged in a brown paper cup.
Ferrero Rocher is popular as gifts especially on Christmas.
2. Bonajuto
The best things sometimes come in small, unique packages. This is proven by the Sicilian chocolate brand Bonajuto.
Bonajuto is the oldest chocolate maker in the island of Sicily. It has been producing these heavenly treats since 1880 in Modica, the region’s chocolate capital and one of the three major chocolate-producing cities of Italy.
Since its founding, Antica Dolceria Bonajuto has yet to fail at keeping the old times’ practices together with the latest technology, resulting in the maintained authentic high-quality chocolate products and inspired uniquely beautiful packaging.
What’s so special about chocolates made in Modica – called cioccolata modicana or Cioccolato di Modica (“Chocolate of Modica”) – is their process origin which came from the ancient Aztecs. This is characterized by an ancient and original recipe that involves manual grinding rather than using a conch, which gives the chocolate a distinctive grainy texture and aromatic flavor.
Today, Sicily’s chocolate is not only known in Italy but internationally as well and Modica’s chocolatiers have over the years been visited by many respected persons on the planet.
The ultimate chocolate lovers should absolutely not miss Cioccolatto di Sicilia by Bonajuto. It is individually wrapped and comes in a box with a unique design.
You can taste the delicate cocoa with notes of honey in the soothing sweetness of chocolate in small sizes.
3. Baci Perugina
Image courtesy: Baci Perugina
Hailing from the famous chocolate city, Perugia, Perugina is the producer of one of the most beloved Italian chocolates – Baci Perugina. The company has been famously making these lovely treats since 1922.
Among Perugina’s many bestselling chocolates, Baci – which means “Kisses” in English – is the one we think that best represents it.
Baci Perugina is made up of chocolate with grains of hazelnuts, topped with a whole hazelnut, then coated with chocolate so luscious you can’t stop yourself craving for it!
With a special love note inside each piece of these heavenly goodness, Baci Pegurina is the most special chocolate gift you can give to your special someone on a Valentine’s Day.
4. Caffarel
A chocolate brand that is close to celebrating its 200 years, Caffarel is no doubt one of if not the best chocolate brand in Italy.
Caffarel Torino 1826, is a classic chocolate company that tells about not only taste but tradition and passion as well. Founded by Pietro Caffarel, it is now a subsidiary of Lindt & Sprungli.
The brand has tons of varieties of chocolates mixed with different nuts, so you might find it difficult to choose. Our favorite is the unique Love Italy: Rome Milk Chocolate Postcard, which represents Rome as seen in its packaging. Indulge in this intense, gluten-free, milk chocolate bar from Caffarel – the best chocolate to bring home to as a remembrance from Italy!
5. Venchi
Italian chocolate maker Venchi produces our personal favorite – Cremino 1878. It consists of layer of white chocolate with almond paste between two layers of milk gianduja (also spelled “gianduia”).
Gianduja, for those who do not know, is a chocolate blend with 30% hazelnut paste – an invention in Turin during Napoleon’s time.
Silviano Venchi, a Piedmontese chocolatier, founded his namesake company in 1878. Since then, every Venchi’s product has always been at its best, making it one of the best must-buy chocolate brands in Italy.
Venchi’s Cremino bars are among its many bestselling chocolate products not only in Italy but all over the world. These chocolates are still made according to the 1878 original recipe. The gentle creamy combination creates the delicate soft and sweet taste of every Cremino bar that melts in your mouth.
While in Italy (or your nearest local Italian deli), don’t forget to check out this Italian chocolate brand. But note that Cremino 1878 sells out quite fast so don’t be surprised if it’s out of stock in the market sometimes.
6. Amedei
The best way to enjoy Italian chocolates is through the Amedei way!
Amedei Toscano, a chocolate company founded in 1990, makes sure its products are made to perfection. This is mostly thanks to one of the few female chocolatiers in the world, Cecilia Tessieri.
Amedei is an award-winning Italian chocolate brand, producing popular chocolates such as the varieties of Toscano Black, Toscano Brown, Toscano White, and Amedei Porcelana which is said to be among the most expensive chocolates in the world at $90 per pound.
Amedei Toscano makes chocolates only from the highest-quality cocoa and with the processing technique that’s 100% artisanal. The aroma of the ingredients Amedei uses lingers in their creamy chocolate blend. No wonder the end product is truly the best!
7. Guido Gobino
Guido Gobino chocolates are meticulously made with passion from the best raw materials like the PGI Piedmont Hazelnuts and the highest-quality cocoa, producing the best-quality chocolates in Italy.
Gobino chocolate comes in different sizes. For instance, the brand’s Classic Giandujotto has a smaller version – Tourinot. Apart from these, the no-milk Giandujotto Maximo as well as the praline and ganache varieties are sure to bring pleasure with every bite.
Hailing from Turin, the company was founded by Guido Gobino’s father Giuseppe in 1964. Today, Guido Gobino is widely recognized in and out of Italy.
Gobino’s chocolate factory offers chocolate tasting. All you have to do is register here.
8. Nutella
Another product of Ferrero Company, Nutella is one of the most famous Italian brands.
This tasty and super popular chocolate spread brand was a 1964 product by Michele Ferrero. It became an instant hit among kids and chocolate lovers alike. It has since spread – no pun intended – across the globe.
Nutella has come a long way. From 1946’s Giandujot, a loaf-shaped sweet paste, to 1951’s SuperCrema, a creamier and easily spread chocolate, to the hazelnut and cocoa cream in a jar that we love so dearly today.
Nutella is great as a spread for breads, but we personally think it’s even better eaten alone! However, if you prefer chocolate bars, Nutella B-ready is perfect for you. They also have Nutella & Go, which is breadsticks and chocolate dip that kids around the world love.
READ MORE: 13 Famous Pasta Brands in Italy
9. Novi
A popular Italian chocolate brand you can easily buy is Novi, produced by Elah Dufour. It is a simple and affordable chocolate brand with high-quality chocolate products to choose from, such as the classic Gianduitto which has been around since the 1800s in Piedmont. Gianduitto Classico by Novi comes in a red seductive packaging.
Elah Dofour Novi, founded in 1903, also produces the top-selling Novi Nocciolato, which is made of refined whole hazelnuts combined with Novi Gianduja Chocolate.
10. Feletti
What’s remarkable about Feletti, one of the best Italian chocolate brands, is the elegant giftable packaging, making it such a pleasant buy for all occasions. The recent rebranding makes Feletti even more presentable and also collectible.
Another Turin native, Feletti has produced delicious chocolates for people from all walks of life since 1882. Its popularity has spread throughout the world and anyone can buy it anywhere nowadays, especially online.
Our top Novi pick is the exquisite Gianduia Chocolate, which is created from the fantastic mix of cocoa and hazelnuts grown in the hills of Piedmont.
Feletti is the Italian chocolate brand that is arguably the most loved in the world!
Ferrero!!! ❤️🔥