A kiss is still a kiss by Elise Warner The way to chocolate wonders By car
From Milan & Florence: A1 motorway south, Valdichiana exit and link road to Perugia along the shore of Lake Trasimeno.
From Rome: A1 motorway north, Orte exit, Orte-Terni link road to exit in direction of Perugia by the E45 Highway The factory is three miles west in San Sisto - Freeway E45, Madonna Alta exit.
Open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; tel. 075/652-767-796 |
The medieval city of Perugia, capital of Umbria, Italy is famous for its fortified walls; universities; and Etruscan, Roman, and papal history. But another less historic attraction draws visitors from around the world: Perugina chocolate. From October 13 to 21, thousands of citizens and visitors open umbrellas to catch morsels of chocolate flying from the chisels of artists who sculpt masterpieces of chocolate. The annual fair, known as Eurochocolate, is held in honor of "the food of the Gods." Perugina features in the Guinness Book of World Records for the 2003 production of the biggest, most edible kiss (Baci) in the world. It took 1,000 hours to sculpt, weighed 13,156 lbs, measured 22.96 feet in circumference, and was almost seven feet in height.
Chocolate addicts both, my husband and I decide to nibble our way through the Perugina factory and Historical Museum. Bowls filled with gold-wrapped Bacio (soft chocolate with a whole hazelnut on top, coated with dark chocolate) await us as we enter. Known as the most romantic of chocolates, a message of love is slipped inside the wrap of each "kiss." It's good for you!
In a screening room, we're offered samples of the dark chocolate Luisa Bar. The Rossana comes in a bright red wrapper with a center of rum cream and is named after Cyrano de Bergerac's sweetie, Roxanne. A short video shows the history of chocolate from the cacao beans' origins in Central America to its arrival in Europe in the 16th century when trendsetters had it as a refreshing drink and medication. The hot drink became all the rage in European courts in the 18th century, but production of the solid chocolate we enjoy today did not start until the 19th century.
Perugina began downtown in 1907 as an "Artisan Workshop for the Manufacture of Comfits" and by 1913 was starting to make a name for itself. The company's ads changed with each decade: In the '70s, romance flourished, and celebrities like Frank Sinatra were the spokespeople. The '80s was all fitness and aerobic dancing trends-Perugina changed their packaging to a slim-line tube, but the chocolate remained the same delectable treat. Today it seems that health and nutrition are key, as the flavonoids in dark chocolate contain antioxidants equal to those in red wine, blueberries, and green tea-great news if you have a sweet tooth. IL |
