Chuao Nougat

Soft Hazelnut Nougat with Venezuelan Chuao Cocoa

When the Italian nougat tradition meets the rarest cocoa in the world

The Chuao Torrone of amedei

Amedei's Chuao Torrone represents the contemporary evolution of classic Italian nougat, transformed into a gourmet creation through the combination of noble ingredients from the national confectionery tradition—Italian hazelnuts and honey—with Chuao cocoa, one of the rarest, most prized, and sought-after varieties in the world. This soft nougat breaks the mold of conventional Christmas sweets, elevating itself to a signature dessert capable of captivating the most refined and discerning palates at any time of year.

The heart of the torrone (75% of the final product) is a creamy and enveloping mixture where toasted Italian hazelnuts (36%) release intense buttery notes, honey provides a rounded sweetness and delicate floral aromas, and the 100% Chuao cocoa mass (19% – an exceptionally generous amount) adds extraordinary aromatic depth with hints of red fruits, prunes, toasted nuts, earthy-woody notes, and a noble bitterness that perfectly balances the sweetness. Whipped egg whites create the soft and airy texture characteristic of torrone, while Madagascar vanilla beans add fragrant complexity. The whole mixture is enclosed between thin wafers (potato starch, water, olive oil) that traditionally protect the torrone and facilitate cutting.

But the truly distinctive element is the generous coating of Chuao 70% dark chocolate (25% of the total weight) produced by Amedei, Tuscan master chocolatiers internationally recognized as the absolute benchmark for the highest quality bean-to-bar chocolate. This dark chocolate completely envelops the nougat, creating a sublime contrast: the crunchy snap of the perfectly tempered chocolate that breaks when bitten into the nougat's soft-creamy interior; the sophisticated bitterness of the 70% dark chocolate balancing the sweetness of the honey; and the layered aromatic complexity of the Chuao harmoniously interacting with the toasted hazelnuts.

Chuao cacao takes its name from the Venezuelan coastal town of the same name, where it grows in unique geographical and climatic conditions—an isolated valley accessible only by sea, a perfect microclimate, rich volcanic soils, and traditional cultivation by local communities who have passed down optimal fermentation and drying techniques for generations. This Criollo-Trinitario cacao represents less than 0,01% of global production and is considered by connoisseurs to be on a par with a grand cru wine or a DOP extra virgin olive oil for its complexity, elegance, and uniqueness. Amedei has privileged access to this extraordinary cacao thanks to decades-long direct relationships with Venezuelan producers, transforming it with artisanal mastery that preserves and enhances every aromatic nuance.
 
 
 

The roots of nougat lie in Renaissance Cremona

Torrone is an iconic Italian dessert with debated origins but a long-standing tradition in Cremona, where, according to legend, it was first served in 1441 during the wedding banquet of Francesco Sforza and Bianca Maria Visconti, modeled after the Torrazzo, the city's iconic bell tower. The traditional recipe combines honey (initially the only sweetener available), whipped egg whites to create an aerated texture, and local nuts (almonds in the South, hazelnuts in the North). Torrone quickly spread throughout Italy, with regional variations: hard and crunchy in Sicily and Sardinia, soft and creamy in Piedmont and Lombardy, and chocolate-flavored in Turin.

Amedei, a Tuscan artisanal chocolate shop founded by Cecilia Tessieri (one of the very few female master chocolatiers in the world), revolutionizes this traditional dessert by adding single-origin Chuao cocoa, creating a bridge between the great Italian confectionery tradition and the excellence of fine Latin American cocoa, demonstrating how elite ingredients and expert craftsmanship can elevate classic recipes to new heights of refinement.
 
 
 

Choosing Chuao Torrone means authentic artisanal luxury

This nougat offers an interesting nutritional profile: Italian hazelnuts provide plant-based protein, beneficial monounsaturated fats (oleic acid), antioxidant vitamin E, magnesium, copper, and manganese; honey provides natural sugars, enzymes, antioxidants, and trace minerals; Chuao cocoa is rich in polyphenolic antioxidants (flavanols) with proven cardioprotective properties, magnesium, iron, and theobromine, a natural stimulant. The 70% dark chocolate maintains a high cocoa content, ensuring the highest concentration of beneficial compounds.

With 519 kcal per 100g, it's sweet and should be enjoyed in moderation as a moment of conscious pleasure. However, the extraordinary quality of the ingredients (rare cocoa, Italian hazelnuts, honey, Madagascar vanilla, and Amedei craftsmanship) makes it an incomparable gastronomic experience, far removed from industrial nougats loaded with syrups, hydrogenated vegetable fats, and artificial flavors.
 
 
 

How to Best Use: Chuao Torrone

• MEDITATIVE TASTING AND FINE WINE PAIRINGS
  Cut the Torrone into thin slices and enjoy slowly, allowing the layered aromas to unfold. Accompany with Tenebrosi Grappa 500ml. Perfect with Arabica Unico Brazil and Peru Blend 250g o Organic Darjeeling Black Tea 18g.
• GOURMET END OF MEAL AND SPECIAL OCCASIONS
  Serve as a refined dessert accompanied by homemade fior di latte ice cream, vanilla custard, or 250g organic blackberries fresh. Arrange on a plate with chocolate warm melted chocolate, salted caramel or coulis 250g fresh organic raspberries.
• PRECIOUS GIFT AND COMPARATIVE TASTINGS
  Elegantly packaged as a refined gift for enthusiasts or as a treat. Organize vertical tastings and compare with others. Amedei chocolates single-origin o 200g artisanal soft nougat to educate the palate to the nuances of fine cocoa. Pair with Grangessato blue cheese 200g for a surprising sweet-savoury contrast.

The Producer: amedei

Amedei is a Tuscan artisanal chocolate maker founded in 1990 by Cecilia Tessieri, internationally recognized as one of the absolute masters of the highest quality bean-to-bar chocolate. Amedei personally selects the finest cocoa beans from single-origin plantations in Venezuela, Ecuador, Madagascar, Trinidad, and Ghana, handcrafting them in Tuscany using techniques that preserve and enhance every aromatic nuance. The company has exclusive access to the extremely rare Venezuelan Chuao cocoa and produces award-winning chocolates at the most prestigious international competitions. Every Amedei creation—from bars to pralines, from nougats to spreads—is a testament to excellence, passion, and profound respect for fine cocoa and the communities that grow it.
 
 
 

Ingredients

Torrone (75%): Italian hazelnuts (36%), honey, sugar syrup (sugar, water), Chuao Amedei cocoa mass (19%), egg white, wafer (potato starch, water, olive oil), Madagascar vanilla pods.

Chuao Amedei dark chocolate coating (25%): Chuao cocoa mass, cane sugar, cocoa butter. Minimum 70% cocoa.

Gluten-free. May contain traces of almonds and pistachios.
 
 
 

Nutritional Values ​​(per 100g of product)

• Energy: 2170 kJ / 519 kcal
• Fat: 31 g (of which saturated: 13 g)
• Carbohydrates: 51 g (of which sugars: 38 g)
• Protein: 8,3 g
• Salt: 0,01 g

Distinguishing features

Single-origin Venezuelan Chuao cocoa (<0,01% world production), 36% Italian hazelnuts, Madagascar honey and vanilla, 70% dark chocolate, 25% couverture, gluten-free
 
 
 

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