Most people familiar with Italian food know that Umbria is famous for its meats, cheese, and truffles. But did you know it’s also famous for its chocolate?
Perugina is a chocolate company, now owned by Nestle, founded and operated in Umbria. The chocolate factory opened in 1907 in Perugia, less than an hour northwest of Spoleto, and has been producing fine Italian chocolates ever since. Its most popular product are Baci—kisses in Italian—chocolate-covered chocolate and hazelnut that are wrapped in a silver foil “love note.” Perugina made it to the U.S. in 1939, and opened a shop on New York City’s 5th Avenue.
In 2007, Perugina opened a chocolate-making school alongside its chocolate museum and factory, and the Perugina Baci celebrated its 100th anniversary this year!
Our Taste of Umbria students get the unique opportunity to not only visit Perugina, but also participate in a chocolate-making class alongside Peruvian’s master chocolatier (whose picture is on every Perugina chocolate bar!)
Join us June 16-25, 2023 for A Taste of Umbria and visit Perugina yourself! Did we mention there’s a chocolate tasting section in the museum where you can eat as much chocolate as you want?