Turin – very potted history of city and food

Dim beginnings – tribe called Taurini formed a village
218 BC Hannibal conquered it
?
Roman settlement known as Augusta Taurinorum
After fall of Rome ruled by whoever came through until
1046 when local countess married Count Odo of Savoy beginning the rule of the Savoy family. Savoy’s , based in France, extended their holdings and became a duchy.
1404 university built in Turin
France and Spain fought over the region, but Savoys held on.
Moved their capital to Turin in 15th century.
Rebuilt city to rival great capitals – broad wides, large piazzas, parks etc.
Risorgimento – revolutionary movement that led to unification of Italy- started early 1800’s in series of battles between different groups. The Savoyard king of the time , Vittorio Emanuelle II, wisely sided with the winning side and became the first king of the united Italy in 1861.
Early 1900’s Olivetti, FIAT and fast growing film industry important.
Modernisations spurred by 2006 winter Olympics continue. Next year 150 years since 1861. Big celebrations.

Now for food:

Savoys were close to the Spanish court who controlled the cocoa trade from the new world. In 1600, Turin was producing 350kg of choc a day for export to Switzerland and Austria. Swiss came to Turin to learn the chocolate making art. During a naval blockade in Napoleonic wars, fresh supplies hard to come by so they added hazelnuts ( plenty in hills) and this became the traditional gianduiotti. Many perfectly preserved 19th century cafes. Chocolate dynasties based in Turin are Ferrero and Perugina. Ferrero took the combination to the mass market and created Nutella.

Another speciality is bicerin. Already popular in 1840’s this is either 1 glass with layer of coffee, then chocolate, then cream or 2 separate glasses - 1 an espresso and the other chocolate and cream. ( Obviously I will need to try both)

Another thing that came from Turin are grissini – the thin bread sticks. About 1860 a young duke of the House of Savoy lay sick and needed encouragement to eat so the court physician made what are now known as grissini. Something a bit different and hopefully appealing. He got better.

Bar culture – see today’s port
Vermouth developed in this area.