How to Say Chocolate in Italian
Ever wondered what to call chocolate in Italian? Instead of using the general word, you would say “cioccolatini” to refer to individual Italian chocolate brands you purchase in bulk or a package (singular: cioccolatino). If you translate this literally, it means “small chocolate.”
We refer to white chocolate as “cioccolato bianco,” while milk chocolate is “cioccolato al latte.” We use the term cioccolatoso to describe something as having a chocolate flavor. Cioccolata (plural: cioccolate).
The History of Italian Chocolate
Columbus first encountered cocoa beans on his last New World journey. He docked in Guanaja, 30 miles off Honduras. On August 15, 1502, he and his crew found a sizeable Mayan trading boat with tools, firearms, cotton garments, and food. How much Indians value cocoa beans got Columbus by surprise.
They’d never seen them and called them “almonds.” Ferdinand Columbus, Christopher Columbus’s son, wrote in 1503 that “they seemed to regard these almonds at a great price; for when he carried them on board ship with other products, I noted that when any of these almonds fell, they all knelt to pick it up as if an eye had fallen.”
Spain introduced cacao to Europe. Columbus, although Italian, he was there. Pietro Martire d’Anghiera (1457 to 1526) was one of the first European writers to explore chocolate. Milanese historian Girolamo Benzoni (1518 to 1570) described the residents’ chocolate drink as “slightly bitter, it satisfies and refreshes the body, but does not inebriate.”
Francesco d’Antonio Carletti, a Florentine trader who worked on a cacao plantation in El Salvador, wrote a 1606 account of cacao planting and production. The Roman-born physician Paolo Zacchia mentions chocolate in his 1644 work Of Hypochondriacal Sicknesses (De’ Mali Hipochondriaci).
Francesco Redi (1626 to 1697) wrote about chocolate for Cosimo III de’ Medici. He tested chocolate. He also rejected the old idea of spontaneous genesis, a widespread position in Europe since Aristotle.) Redi says the Florentines were the first to flavor chocolate with citron, lemon peel, amber, and musk. Redi was the first flower-flavor chocolate.
His jasmine-infused chocolate bar was popular in Cosimo de’ Medici’s court. Jasmine water doesn’t mix well with chocolate; therefore, he wouldn’t give his recipe. His recipe, which called for fresh jasmine petals, was just discovered after his death in 1697.
Our Best Italian Chocolate Brand
Our top pick of the sampled chocolate samples is Ferrero Rocher Collection, Fine Hazelnut Milk Chocolates. Besides its attractive outward-looking, it boasts a crunchy and velvety hazelnut cream filling. But, as if that is not enough, its unmistakable taste of almond has no match.
Combining its taste and texture and topping it up with the dark chocolate cover at its heart. It is undoubtedly the best brand as it ticks most boxes with our expert carrying out the test.
Why Trust the Proud Italian?
Proud Italian is not just any other source out there. Here, we take you through all you will need to know about Italian chocolate brands giving details on each section that may be important to you. We are ready to provide you with all you require to decide on the best chocolate brand to choose from.
We have gone further to sample some expert opinions from our chocolate experts, who conduct a comprehensive test on our samples and come up with an expert opinion to guide you. However, suppose you still have other pertinent questions on Italian for chocolate brands. In that case, you can pose them; our team will be glad to work on the response immediately.
The Best Italian Chocolate Brands at a Glance
- Ferrero Rocher Collection, Fine Hazelnut Milk Chocolates, 48 Count, Gift Box, Assorted Coconut Candy, and Chocolates: Best Overall
- Venchi Gianduja Milk Chocolate with Piedmont Hazelnuts Chunky Bar: Best for gift giving
- Domori Hot Cocoa Dark Chocolate, Drink Mix, 36 Sachets: Best sharing
- Perugina Extra Dark 85% Bar: Best for serious chocolate lovers
- Strega Alberti Croccantino al Cioccolato: Best delicious chocolate
- Caffarel Piemonte Hazelnut Pralines Ballotin: Best original creamy chocolate
- No products found.: Best spreading chocolate
- Novi: Italian Extra Dark Chocolate: Best super dark chocolate
- Amedei Limited Edition Chuao Bar: Best premium chocolate
How We Tested the Products
A nice block of milk chocolate, with its blend of smoothness from the milk, bitterness from the cocoa solids, and just the perfect amount of sweetness, is hard to beat for anyone with a sweet taste. We know that waiting around in the candy section of a store while trying to determine what to buy can put undue strain on your willpower.
So we tasted several chocolates from various brands, compared them, and took one for the team. We did an evaluation of the chocolates for flavor and nutritional value. We approved those with a score of at least 70%. We conducted tests to determine the least expensive and most expensive milk chocolates.
It’s typical for chocolate to be sweet, especially when contrasted with dark chocolate. This is especially true for sugar-free milk chocolate. The items in our test have an average sugar level of 1.66 ounces (47grams) per 3.5 ounces (100g); 47 percent. Our findings show that the absence of sugar does not improve the flavor of the chocolate.
According to international standards, chocolate and chocolate-related goods must have a minimum cocoa solids content of 25% and minimum milk solids between 12 and 14%. We examined various chocolate blocks with cocoa solids, including cooking and compound chocolate sold in major retail chains across the country.
The chocolate samples were tested by our specialists “blind” (without knowing the brands). Each expert received a different set of samples sent to them through email in random order. After removing all packaging from the testing samples, cover all other distinctive chocolate surface elements like logos and patterns.
Whether a sample had distinguishing characteristics, they were all treated equally. We used the three evaluation criteria of fragrance, texture, appearance, and flavor to taste each sample. We recommend products having a choice expert Score of 70% or higher.
Reviewing the Best Italian Chocolate Brands
Ferrero Rocher Collection, Fine Hazelnut Milk Chocolates, 48 Count, Gift Box, Assorted Coconut Candy, and Chocolates: Best Overall
Amazon Choice Award in Candy & Chocolate Bars by Ferrero Rocher
Brand: Ferrero rocher
Flavor: Chocolate
Size: 12.21 x 1.58 x 10.63 inches (31.01 x 4.01 x 27.0 centimeters)
Weight: 18.2 ounces (516 grams)
Chocolate type: Candies
Package info: Chocolate pack
Item form: Ball
About This Product
The Ferrero collection is a must-try for everyone who enjoys Ferrero Rocher candies. Try your hand at three different delectable sweets—original, legendary Ferrero Rocher. Raffaello has a luxuriously layered appearance. And a lovely Rondnoir made of dark chocolate.
Because there is something for everyone in this beautiful assortment box, it is ideal for gift-giving and sharing over the holiday season.
Ferrero assortment offers a wide selection of delicious and unusual treats; dig in! Ferrero Rocher chocolate and coconut sweets, each individually wrapped and presented in an attractive clear gift box with a total of 48 candies (16 of each flavor), make the ideal present for those you care about.
A delicacy that is crisp on the outside and has a smooth cream made of hazelnuts on the inside, it is a delightful introduction to the distinct flavor of almonds. A delicate wafer, rich, velvety cocoa filling, and hazelnut that has a coating in dark chocolate make for a delicious combination of flavors and textures in the center of this confection.
Venchi Gianduja Milk Chocolate with Piedmont Hazelnuts Chunky Bar: Best for Gift Giving
Brand: Venchi
Flavor: Chocolate
Size: 2.17 x 1.18 x 9.84 inches (5.51 x 2.99 x 24.99 centimeters)
Weight: 7.05 ounces (199.86 grams)
Chocolate type: Milk
Package info: Packed bars
Item form: Bar
About This Product
Cioccolato Venchi, another one of Italy’s oldest chocolate brands, dates back to the same time as Caffarel. Cioccolato Venchi is for producing some of Italy’s most delicious chocolates and first opened its doors in the late 1800s.
Gianduja bar contains milk and uses whole hazelnuts. It consists of Piedmont whole hazelnuts that toast, and our chocolatiers pick and craft each batch by hand. Naturally devoid of gluten. This brand offers a diverse selection of chocolate treats, including chocolate bars, pralines, and more.
Although they sell a wide variety of chocolates, Cioccolato is most known for the dark Italian chocolate bars that they produce. They include the ideal harmony of bitterness and sweetness, leaving you wanting more of both flavors. The cocoa they use originates in South America, which contributes to the chocolate’s rich and velvety flavor.
All their nut fillings, which they use in their Venchi chocolate, come from local suppliers and include hazelnuts, almonds, and even pistachios. We recommend purchasing a variety pack of chocolates from this well-known Italian chocolate company if you are unsure which chocolate to buy. You’ll have the opportunity to sample many different options this way.
Domori Hot Cocoa Dark Chocolate, Drink Mix, 36 Sachets: Best Sharing
Brand: Domori
Flavor: Chocolate
Size: 1.38 x 3.54 x 5.28 inches (3.51 x 8.99 x 13.4 centimeters)
Weight: 38.1 ounces (1,080.1 grams)
Chocolate type: Cream
Package info: Sachet
Item form: Cream
About This Product
To make flavorful and rich hot dark chocolate at home, you can brew hot cocoa made from dark chocolate. The preparation is simple and quick and requires a modest number of high-quality components for a gourmet experience ideal for a delectable getaway and works particularly well during winter and holidays.
38.1 ounces (1080.1 grams) of powder spread across the 36 sachets make up the package. Pour 100 milliliters (0.1 liters) of cold milk into a Domori hot chocolate sachet, and then heat it on the stove until it reaches the appropriate level of thickness. You may put whipped cream on top of the serving in a cup as a garnish.
Perugina Extra Dark 85% Bar (Pack of 12): Best for Serious Chocolate Lovers
Brand: Perugina
Flavor: Extra bittersweet
Size: 12.9 x 10 x 7.4 inches (32.8 x 25.4 x 18.8 centimeters)
Weight: 36 ounces (1,020.58 grams)
Chocolate type: Dark
Package info: Chocolate pack
Item form: Bar
About This Product
A beautiful extra dark chocolate manufactured with 85 percent cacao originates from the Italian Chocolate Masters at Perugina. This chocolate is for serious chocolate lovers. Please take pleasure in the unrivaled taste of Perugina’s dark chocolate, which embodies the meticulous craftsmanship and time-honored customs it has served for over a century.
Extra dark 85 percent cacao chocolate. Bar of dark chocolate with an 85 percent cacao content, crafted with Italy’s best chocolate. Excellent for use in a variety of dishes as well as for consumption on its own.
Perugina has been a symbol of superiority in Italian chocolate production for more than a century; its chocolate is the result of a labor of love on the part of Perugina’s Chocolate Masters.
Perugina is the well-known brand name of a confectionery firm located in Perugia, Italy.
Perugina manufactures chocolates in addition to various types of sweets. It has been there since 1907, and Nestlé purchased it in 1988. However, the Baci Perugina, which consists of a chocolate exterior with a gianduja hazelnut filling, has been and will continue to be the company’s most important product.
Due largely to the marketing effort that the firm has run to sell the idea that within the package, you can find a romantic “quote” written in multiple languages, Perugina has become a symbol in Italy for falling in love.
Baci, which means “kisses,” is the Italian word for Perugina. This quotation is one approach to expressing something that you might struggle to describe in your own words.
Strega Alberti Croccantino al Cioccolato: Best Delicious Chocolate
Brand: Strega Alberti
Flavor: Dark Chocolate
Size: 4.53 x 7.48 x 1.97 inches (11.5 x 18.99 x 5.0 centimeters)
Weight: 0.37 ounces (10.5 grams)
Chocolate type: Dark
Package info: Chocolate pack
Item form: Bar
About This Product
The Strega Croccantino al Cioccolato assortment includes bite-sized bars of hazelnut brittle that are individually wrapped and coated in bittersweet chocolate. Its net weight is 10.58 ounces (300 grams). Italy is its country of origin.
Even though it has been in business for almost 150 years, Alberti is still one of the country’s few Italian chocolate makers, still owned and operated by a single family. Although it is now known throughout Italy for its delicious chocolate, Alberti was once a manufacturer of liqueurs. Specifically, the production of Strega, an alcoholic beverage flavored with fennel and mint.
These days, Alberti is famous for its chocolates, but chocolate makers in Italy still include this liqueur in their formulas. Alberti chocolates are among the most popular in the world. Therefore, every bite of Alberti chocolate has a tinge of booziness.
This chocolate is of the highest quality and most indulgent! It’s possible that their bonbons, which are exquisite morsels of smooth chocolate flavored with Strega, are their most well-known delight. If you are searching for chocolate that is truly one of a kind, then you should try Alberti.
Caffarel Piemonte Hazelnut Pralines Ballotin: Best Original Creamy Chocolate
Amazon Choice Award in Candy & Chocolate Bars by Caffarel
Brand: Caffarel
Flavor: Hazelnut Pralines
Size: 4.13 x 2.17 x 7.68 inches (10.5 x 5.51 x 19.5 centimeters)
Weight: 3.53 ounces (100 grams)
Chocolate type: Milk
Package info: Chocolate pack
Item form: Chocolate Candies
About This Product
Piemonte ballotin is an attractive golden bag that contains delectable Piemonte chocolates. Piemonte chocolates are a creamy original Gianduia chocolate topped with entire roasted hazelnuts from Piemonte. The perfect way to give yourself and your family a minute to enjoy the beauty of relaxation.
An exquisite golden bag filled with delectable Piemonte chocolates. Gianduia chocolate in its traditional, creamy form, infused with whole roasted hazelnuts from Piedmont. The perfect way to give yourself and your family a minute to enjoy the beauty of relaxation.
All of Caffarel’s goods are from Italy, in the town of Luserna San Giovanni, located close to the Alps.
No products found.: Best Spreading Chocolate
No products found.
Brand: Baci
Flavor: Chocolate
Size: 3 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches (7.62 x 6.35 x 6.35 centimeters)
Weight: 15.52 ounces (440 grams)
Chocolate type: Dark
Package info: Bottle
Item form: Cream
About This Product
Baci Chocolate Hazelnut Cream is a chocolate hazelnut spread that originates in Italy. Its production is by the same company responsible for the world-famous Baci chocolates. A delicious combination of ground hazelnuts, chunks of ground hazelnuts, and chocolate. You may spread it on toast or scones or use it as a filling for cakes, biscuits, or tarts.
Novi: Italian Extra Dark Chocolate, Pack of 4: Best Super Dark Chocolate
Brand: Novi
Flavor: Dark chocolate
Size: 6.3 x 2.95 x 0.39 inches (16.0 x 7.5 x 0.99 centimeters)
Weight: 1.8 ounces (50.8 grams)
Chocolate type: Dark
Package info: Chocolate pack
Item form: Bar
About This Product
This product has been in existence since 1903 in Novi Ligure. The Novi chocolate factory makes a variety of chocolates, including Grandi Nocciolati, the prestigious Fondentenero, and Gran Cru Nero Nero, the time-honored Gianduja Piemonte, Gianduiotti, Otello praline, and Crema Novi (spread). In 2003, the company celebrated being in business for an entire century.
The bar of super dark chocolate contains fifty percent of the finest cocoa from Africa and Central America. You will achieve the genuine flavor of dark chocolate by utilizing cocoa that has been painstakingly selected and crafted with the unique enthusiasm of Novi. Conceivably it includes traces of milk and hazelnuts not containing gluten, Originally from Italy.
Amedei Limited Edition Chuao Bar: Best Premium Chocolate
Brand: Amedei
Flavor: Pistachio, Almond, Vanilla, Hazelnut, Dark Chocolate, Chocolate, Cocoa
Size: 6.1 x 3.15 x 0.39 inches (15.5 x 8.00 x 0.99 centimeters)
Weight: 8 ounces (226.8 grams)
Chocolate type: Dark
Package info: Chocolate pack
Item form: Bar
About This Product
The production of Amedei chocolate was first in Tuscany in 1990. It has become one of Italy’s most well-known and well-loved premium chocolates. Their pralines, prepared from their cocoa beans, have become their most famous product. Although the brand is still expanding, there is little doubt that it will soon become more well-known on a global scale.
You can tell the difference in the quality of the ingredients used in Amedei chocolates because you can taste them in every bite. Try out some of Amedei’s nine-blend chocolate bars for the most delicious experience.
It comes from nine distinct kinds of cocoa beans, which lend a complex flavor profile with layered undertones that harmoniously meld together. Get a taste of exquisite Italian chocolate before everyone else does!
The Bottom Line
Although Ferrero Rocher Collection, Fine Hazelnut Milk Chocolates is our best pick, That does not stop you from sampling other brands to come up with your own opinion. However, we are sure our expert opinion is unbiased, and you will never go wrong with it.
Next time you go shopping for a g chocolate brand, remember to include Ferrero Rocher Collection, Fine Hazelnut Milk Chocolates in your shopping cart. Read our article and find out 10 Shocking Things About Italian Men.
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