Italian cuisine is mostly remembered for its wide variety of pasta, cheeses, wines, and produce. However, not many people are aware of its chocolate tradition. Like many things in Italy, the history of chocolate can be traced back to the 16th century, the Renaissance period, when the first cocoa beans arrived from the New World.

The tradition translated into quality, and it may be difficult to choose the best Italian chocolate amid so many high-quality options. The famous Gianduja-based Italian chocolate truffles from the Piedmont region were created during the Napoleonic Wars when cocoa beans were hard to find in Europe. Learn about the Italian chocolate tradition below.