Death By Italian Chocolate

Although world nutella day may be gone (but not forgotten by a certain Italy writer who shall remain nameless apparently), that is no reason to turn our backs on chocolate. As ambitious as your agenda for sightseeing in Rome may be, one must set aside time for hunting for the perfect chocolate experience in Italy. Here are ten of our favorite types of Italian chocolate.

1. Nutella.
In my opinion, this heavenly spreadable chocolate will forever occupy the pedestal at the chocolate parade. Enjoy it by itself, on bread, or in any of these creative ways to eat nutella.

  
  
2. Novi nocciolato
My all-time favorite chocolate bar. This is what it looks like.

                                                 

It also comes in dark and white chocolate, but do yourself a favor and stick with the milk chocolate with hazelnuts. You won't regret it!


3. Gelato al cioccolato

Go to one of the better gelaterias in Rome and try the gelato al cioccolato. In Italy is common to mix several flavors of ice cream in the same cone or dish, so if you want to change it up a bit, mix the plain chocolate with the nocciola, stracciatella, or Rocher flavors.

                                              

4. Cioccolato caldo
If the weather is too cold for gelato, I have just the thing to warm you up. Try the Italian version of hot chocolate (made by Eraclea brand if you can find it). Sometimes these are so thick that your spoon will actually stand up in the cup (when this happens I like to refer to them as "hot pudding" rather than hot chocolate.

                                                     
5. Baci by Perugina
These little individually wrapped bundles of goodness each have a fortune inside (although really what is there to say besides "you are about to have some seriously good chocolate, bravo").

                                      

6. Gianduiotti
Gianduiotti come from the Piemonte region are made from hazelnut chocolate. Caffarel makes delicious little golden wrapped triangular shaped gianduia chocolates that are wonderful.

                                        

7. Tortino al cioccolato
This is similar to the internationally renowned "molten chocolate cake" where when you cut into it, the inside pours out like hot lava. As with many things, in Italy it just seems to taste better!

                                             

8. Ferrero rocher
The Ferrero Rocher is another pocket sized beauty that is sure to brighten your day.

                                                

9. Pocket Coffee
Also produced by Ferrero, these little guys kill two birds with one stone. A bite sized piece of chocolate that has a shot of espresso inside, just waiting to explode into your mouth. So good, and so sensible (you'll be shocked at how much sightseeing in Rome you get done after downing a few of these)!

                                                      
 10. Amedei Chocolate bars
The Amedei chocolate bars are worth their weight in gold, literally. In a small factory near Florence, the Tessieri family makes this delectable chocolate from scratch. They do not buy chocolate in bulk and melt it down the way most chocolatiers do, they make it from start to finish, and it shows in their divine product. The Amadei price tag reflects this, but some things (like Amedei chocolate) are worth paying for.

                                                   



If you liked our advice on the best chocolate in Italy, you'll LOVE our post on the top 10 must-eats in Rome!