Merenda Reale 1800 at Gelateria Pepino

Take part in Merenda Reale® (royal snack), a delicious and original way of traveling back to the golden age when Torino's cafés were places of culture, politics and sociability. The snack will be served at Gelateria Pepino – where the famous Pinguino® was invented and patented in 1939 – in an environment whose architectural features evoke the atmosphere of a 19th-century café.In the 19th century, thanks to its sophisticated confectionery, Turin had earned the reputation as the 'capital of flavor' throughout Europe, as it was dotted by a constellation of pastry shops and meeting places. Even the Royals did not refrain from venturing out of the Palace to take a stroll under the arcades of Via di Po and savor a 'bicerin' - a beverage made with coffee, fior di latte, and hot chocolate - which then became a morning ritual. Many delicious delicacies were created after the eighteenth century: 'chifel', a variation on the Viennese croissant; 'foré', a kind of bagel; 'bicciolano di Vercelli'; a shortcrust 'brioss'; 'parisien', the so-called 'democratic' bread... In the Risorgimento period, 'garibaldin' (a slice of simple buttered bread) and 'garibaldi' (a biscuit made of shortbread with raisins and apricot jam) became very fashionable. Finally, brand new hazelnut-based specialties were created in the second half of the century: Chivasso 'noaset' ('nocciolini'), 'cri-cri', 'givu', and the hazelnut chocolate that would come to be known as Gianduiotto.The menu includes 2 courses:

• 'Bicerin' with the three 'Stisse' (three ingredients: chocolate, milk cream, and coffee) accompanied by a selection of 'bagnati' (biscuits to dip)
• A plate with Chivasso 'Noaset' (Nocciolini) and other chocolate specialties (2 Gianduiottis, 'Cri-Cri' and more)