What is "gianduja"

n. A preparation of chocolate containing about 50 percent hazelnut and almond paste.

Gianduja ( Piedmontese: Giandoja) is one of the masks of the Italian Commedia dell'Arte, typically representing the town of Turin (and Piedmont in general). Gianduja also became the namesake for a Piedmontese chocolate preparation.

The mask depicts an honest peasant of Piedmontese countryland, with a certain inclination for wine (particularly Brachetto d'Acqui), gastronomy and beautiful girls, while strictly faithful to his lover Giacometta, who is usually represented by a cute girl.

Gianduja or gianduia is a sweet chocolate spread containing about 30% hazelnut paste, invented in Turin during Napoléon's regency (1796–1814), when the Mediterranean was under a blockade by the British. A chocolatier in Turin named Michele Prochet extended the little chocolate he had by mixing it with hazelnuts from the Langhe hills south of Turin. Based on Gianduia, Turin-based chocolate manufacturer Caffarel invented Gianduiotto in 1852. It takes its name from Gianduja, a Carnival and marionette character who represents the archetypal Piedmontese, a native of the Italian region where hazelnut confectionery is common.

Gianduja may refer to:

• A mask in commedia dell'arte that represents Turin and the Piedmont region of Italy
• A preparation of chocolate containing about 30 percent hazelnut and almond paste

Also related:

• Gianduiotti, a Piedmontese chocolate whose shape is similar to an upturned boat