Turin: the birthplace of legendary snacks, aperitifs and delicacies

We start with the legendary Bicerin, first served on the streets of this city in Piedmont. This historic, hot, non-alcoholic drink derives directly from the 18th century “bavarèisa”, which was served in round glasses and included a mix of coffee, chocolate and cream.
In 1763, the capital of Piedmont created its own version, a firm favourite of Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour. The ingredients in Bicerin are delightfully stacked on three distinct layers.

The “Pinguino” ice cream on a stick was also born in Turin, with creamy ice cream on the inside, covered with crunchy chocolate on the outside. Dating back to 1939, it was created by Gelati Pepino, the historic ice-cream parlour in Piazza Carignano.
The recipe includes 70 grams of ice cream, and you can add coffee, gianduja chocolate spread, mint, hazelnut and typical ice cream toppings.  

tramezzino made its debut at the Caffè Mulassano in Piazza Castello in 1926. Gabriele D’Annunzio seems to have given it this name, because the shape reminded him of the 'partitions' of his house. It is the famous Italian version of the Italian sandwich, with the characteristic shape of an isosceles triangle made of soft pan carré and filled with every delicacy. 

Turin is home to vermouth and aperitifs. The Romans greatly appreciated Absinthiatum vinum, whose basic ingredient is absinthe. At the end of the 1700s, Antonio Benedetto Carpano tried to renew the recipe. He combined herbs and spices with the muscat wine from his shop, which was located in front of the Royal Palace. He brought his invention directly to King Vittorio Emanuele III. The King even decided to appoint him as his official supplier.

The inventions do not end there. The Carpano company created Punt e Mes in 1870. When a stockbroker asked for the classic vermouth aperitif to be laced with a half dose of cinchona. A product with a point of sweetness and a half of bitterness came out.

In 1863, entrepreneur Alessandro Martini, accountant Teofilo Sola and expert liquor producer Luigi Rossi founded Martini & Rossi, to produce vermouth, liqueurs and sparkling wines. Their story began in Turin, but the company soon moved to Pessione di Chieri, on the railway line to the port of Genoa. You can enjoy fascinating guided tours of Casa Martini, reliving a fantastic and entertaining history.

Turin also witnessed the birth of the first bar espresso machine. This innovative steam-powered machine patented and built in 1884 by Angelo Moriondo rose to fame after it was presented at the General Expo of Turin at Valentino Park.