One hundred years of Baci Perugina. The limited edition and the company's initiatives

Birth of Baci Perugina

A hundred years of love, a hundred years of Baci. It was 1922 when Luisa Spagnoli almost by chance created the recipe that made Perugina famous, those dome-shaped chocolate pralines that over the years have decreed the success of the company, becoming a symbol of love itself, a must on Valentine's Day. Tasty pralines created to use the leftovers of chopped hazelnuts employed in other preparations, initially called cazzotti, (punches) later renamed by Perugina partner Giovanni Buitoni, who found it more elegant to ask for a Bacio (kiss) rather than a punch... to crown the fame of the chocolates are the romantic phrases inserted in the wrapper and the unmistakable silver packaging with blue stars, introduced a few years after their birth by designer Federico Seneca (also responsible for the love notes, added in the 1930s). Today the company - part of the Nestlé group - celebrates with a series of delicious initiatives, as well as with various web promotional content and factory events.

The limited edition Dolce & Gabbana for Baci Perugina

A limited edition is a must on the occasion of the centenary, in collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana stylists - who have already created a line inspired by the typical Italian majolica for the company - who for the occasion have now created a special packaging with gold coloured stars shining on a midnight blue background. There will then be a second collection designed for Valentine's Day, again together with the fashion house, and this time the taste of the chocolate will also change. The centenary is therefore celebrated with many novelties but also with events in the manufacturing factory, with a light installation and the choreography of employees recreating the shape of the Baci, in addition to the dedication of the masters of the "Chocolate School," with a giant cake resting on an expanse of chocolates. A romantic and original way to pay homage to lovers' favourite pralines, packed in blue boxes that depict the couple kissing under a shower of stars. Curiosity: Francesco Seneca, who conceived this detail was inspired by the painting "The kiss" by Hayez and, according to legend, by the clandestine love affair between Luisa Spagnoli and Giovanni Buitoni.

by Michela Becchi