🇷🇺 Berlingo Shokonte — Russia
The Real Berlingo Chocolate
Berlingo Shokonte is a popular Russian candy made by Essen Production AG, one of Russia's largest food manufacturers (with annual revenue over 23 billion rubles!). These chocolate-glazed candies have a soft, delicate filling that melts in your mouth, making them a beloved companion to tea and coffee across Russia. They come in 100g bags or bulk 1kg packages for the truly dedicated chocolate lover.
🇮🇹 Berlingozzo — Italy
The Tuscan "Cake of Joy"
There's a traditional Tuscan cake called Berlingozzo that dates back to the Renaissance. Italian nobility served it at lavish feasts to celebrate the end of Carnival season, right before the fasting period of Lent. It's sometimes called the "cake of joy" because of its association with celebration and indulgence. Today, bakers experiment with chocolate and coffee versions of this classic treat!
Italy's Chocolate Connection
Italy's relationship with chocolate goes all the way back to Christopher Columbus, who was the first European to see cocoa beans during his voyage to Honduras. A Florentine merchant named Francesco Carletti turned cocoa imports into a booming business, and soon cities like Florence, Venice, and Turin were exporting chocolate before anyone else in Europe. Turin officially allowed the sale of hot chocolate way back in 1678!