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You are here: Home / Travel / Europe / Sicily / Chocolate from Modica:

Chocolate from Modica:

September 24, 2012 by Fiona Maclean 5 Comments

Last Updated on June 26, 2016

Bonajuto Artisan Chocolate from Modica

It would be tempting to say the first sight of Modica in Sicily, from up in the hills, is the best. My initial impression was that it would be hard to surpass.  Stop and look across the gorge to the city, for me at least, the Sicily I had imagined and you might feel the same, that is until you reach the city centre.

modica cathedral

Make your way down the hill into the city and look at the detailed stonework on the buildings, the pretty balconies and rambling streets.  My hilltop photo shows the cathedral, one of the best examples of Italian baroque architecture, surrounded by clusters of houses.  Much of the city was destroyed in the earthquake of 1693 and rebuilt in baroque style and besides the Cathedral there are fine buildings, courtyards and churches to wander aroand,

modica town centre

Even the wiring seems to have a baroque touch to it.

baroque wiring modica

For many people though, it is the artisan chocolate that attracts them to Modica.  To understand the origin of this chocolate it is important to realise that Modica, along with all of Southern Italy, was under Spanish rule at the time when the Spanish discovered the New World and consequently introduced to Europe products like chocolate that they found in the Americas.  In Modica the original chocolate making technique from the 16th century has been maintained to create a  chocolate that is made straight from the cacao beans, with no added cocoa butter or other fats.  At no time is the chocolate heated over 40 degrees, so when sugar is added it is mixed in but doesn’t melt.

We were lucky to have a quick tour of one of the oldest artisan chocolate houses in Modica, owned by the the Bonajuto family since 1880, Antica Dolceria Bonajuto.  And, a demonstration of how the chocolate is made by first grinding the cacoa beans to make a cocoa ‘butter’, then melting the butter to between 36 and 38 degrees centigrade, adding sugar and then tempering the mixture by a kind of knocking/pounding process with the chocolate in moulds set into a large wooden tray.modica chocolate shop

modica chocolate

modica chocolate centre sicily

The grainy, sugary mixture becomes slightly smoother, although the bars still retain a distinctive texture.

modica chocolate making

The result is a pure, sugary chocolate bar. It is produced in various concentrations of chocolate and with a range of flavours.  The shop also sells pastries and even a chocolate liqueur.  My personal favourite was a small pastry filled case stuffed with minced veal, chocolate and spices.  An Italian style ‘mince pie’ called ‘Mpanatigghi (derived from empanadas!)

chocolate and mince sweets

And, although I’d promised myself I was not going to buy any chocolates…somehow, I am now the proud owner of three small bars of Antica Colceria Bonajuto chocolate.  To be saved for a very special occasion.

 

Filed Under: Sicily, Travel Tagged With: chocolate, sicily

Comments

  1. Char Keddy says

    December 23, 2017 at 9:47 pm

    I’ve always loved visiting Italy but I’ve never been to Sicily before. This sounds amazing!

    Reply
  2. Anthony Harrington says

    March 7, 2017 at 6:51 pm

    looks a wonderful place and the chocolate looks delicious!

    Reply
  3. Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says

    August 7, 2013 at 9:14 am

    Travel and chocolate? Perfect.

    Reply
    • Fiona Maclean says

      August 7, 2013 at 11:15 am

      It is quite a special place! if you ever get the chance to go then do take it!!

      Reply
  4. Roger Stowell says

    December 30, 2012 at 9:04 am

    Such a pleasure to read. What a beautiful place – even more so as I can see the pouring rain out of my window. Modica is completely new to me. A visit to Bonajuto seems on the cards.

    Reply

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