Focus on Gianduia, Part 17: Il Duce e il Dolce

 Special Topics  Comments Off on Focus on Gianduia, Part 17: Il Duce e il Dolce
May 022011
 

Most efforts to historically contextualize gianduia focus solely on the era of its presumed invention in the mid-1860s.  However, as we’ve seen, many components of the gianduia myth first arose in the 1930s, through Cagliano’s article in Il Dolce (1932), Succ. Caffarel Prochet & Co.’s “Gianduia 1865” marketing campaign (1936), and the booklet Il Cioccolato ed il Suo Valore Alimentare (1933).  The 1930s witnessed a confluence of factors favorable to increased prominence and production of gianduia—a perfect storm, with Benito Mussolini at the eye.

Continue reading »

Focus on Gianduia, Part 13: Michele Prochet and the 1865 Birth of Gianduia

 Special Topics  Comments Off on Focus on Gianduia, Part 13: Michele Prochet and the 1865 Birth of Gianduia
Apr 042011
 

If the first gianduiotto appeared during the politically pivotal 1865 carnival season, it would contribute significantly to the confection’s legend, associating it with Gianduia’s symbolic reconciliation of the Turinese with Vittorio Emanuel II in the interest of the Risorgimento.  But did it? Continue reading »

Focus on Gianduia, Part 9: Did Michele Prochet Invent Gianduia in 1852?

 Special Topics  Comments Off on Focus on Gianduia, Part 9: Did Michele Prochet Invent Gianduia in 1852?
Mar 072011
 

Having introduced the Waldensian dramatis personæ, we move on to the next oft-cited date for the origin of gianduia: 1852.

Continue reading »

Focus on Gianduia, Part 3: Bazzarini and Butts

 Special Topics  Comments Off on Focus on Gianduia, Part 3: Bazzarini and Butts
Jan 242011
 

This week, we return to the myth of the early nineteenth century invention of gianduia.  The setting of the story—the Continental System and its impact on industry and individuals—can be easily established.  Yet there are no known contemporary sources describing gianduia or a gianduia-like substance in Piedmont during the six years between the Berlin Decree and the de facto collapse of the Continental System in the summer of 1812 when Russia and England made peace with the Treaty of Örebro.

Continue reading »

Focus on Gianduia, Part 1.5: Orthography and Pronunciation

 Special Topics  Comments Off on Focus on Gianduia, Part 1.5: Orthography and Pronunciation
Jan 102011
 

Since the word “gianduia” will appear repeatedly in this series, let’s shoehorn some brief comments on spelling and pronunciation before moving forward.

Continue reading »