Focus on Gianduia, Part 14: The 1867 Baptism of Gianduia (or was it 1869?)

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Apr 112011
 

The story of gianduia’s naming is as common as that of its creation.  As with the prevailing account of its 1865 origin, the naming myths are also traceable to Succ. Caffarel Prochet & Co.

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

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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?

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Mar 072011
 

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

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Focus on Gianduia, Part 8: Rise of the Waldenses in Mid-nineteenth Century Turin

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Feb 282011
 

Following the 1837 death of the Bleniese inventor Giovanni Martino Bianchini, Paul Caffarel (pictured above) continued to manufacture chocolate using the same machine Bianchini had installed in the Watzenborns’ converted tannery.  He was to be the first of a wave of Waldensian chocolate makers in Turin.  Because of the Waldenses’ importance in the rise of gianduia, we will briefly introduce some of the key individuals and companies that will figure into the story ahead.

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