Tuscany as cradle of art and history, treasure box of illustrious works and rooted traditions, known throughout the world for its refined and exclusive wine production and boundless landscapes of beauty.

All this will have another pearl to make the rich collection of indubitable virtues richer, in fact in the past few years in the area comprised between Pisa and Prato going through Montopoli, Monsummano Terme and Agliana there is a true and proper "district" of handmade and quality chocolate production.

In these places craft chocolate makers of international repute meet, as well as young potentials who promise to keep the quality level high. And when we speak of quality chocolate we speak of Federico Salza from Pisa, Simone De Castro of Montopoli (Pisa), Andrea Slitti of Monsummano Terme (Pistoia), the company "Cioccolato & C." of Massa e Cozzile (Pistoia), Corsini di Pistoia, the pioneer of chocolate in Tuscany Roberto Catinari until the patisserie champion of the world in Prato Luca Mannori.

These master craftsmen, and others, have taken part in the month of January in the event "Cioccolosità - Quality of Tuscan chocolate", an event born to promote and valorise the great black gold mine in the area that, by specialised press, is now defined "Chocolate Valley".

The same organisers of the event (Municipality of Monsummmano, Province of Pistoia and Slow Food of Pistoia), which is normally held in the municipality of Monsummano Terme, is promoting an activation and putting into practice project of the "Via del cioccolato". As with wine roads the project will define an itinerary that will point out companies, wine shops and shops where one can taste and purchase desserts and patisserie made with chocolate, connected to trails with socio-cultural characteristics.
(In the picture: "Modern Times" creation in chocolate by Andrea Slitti for the 2002 edition of "Cioccolosità")

February.2002

Monsummano Terme Municipality
Roberto Catinari
Luca Mannori
Federico Salza
Andrea Slitti