Silvano Venchi opened his confectionery workshop in Via degli Artisti in Turin, in 1878. The company soon conquered the palate of many Torinese, above all with its Nougatina, a sweet made from chopped, caramelized hazelnuts coated with a chocolate glaze. In the 1900s Venchi grew fast and its products become famous far beyond Piedmont. Recently Venchi joined forces with Cuba, a confectionery company owned by Pietro Cussino, a master pâtissier from Cuneo. Today, maintaining quality at the highest levels, without chemicals or preservatives, Venchi exports its products to 55 countries. Its flagships include gianduiotti, chocolate and hazelnut cream, Crema Cubana al rum, and Chocaviar (minute chocolate beads that look like caviar), then ice cream, fruit jellies and a line of organic chocolate. All products are gluten-free.