Piedmont (Piemonte) is still relatively undiscovered compared to the rest of the Italian peninsula… which makes it a jewel to visit.
Not overcrowded or overpriced, Piedmont is one of the most beautifully under rated regions in northern Italy. It offers some of the best wine country, cinematic history and of course, food and drink!
Looking for a great way to remember your visit to Piedmont? What better way than a food souvenir that you can enjoy down the road and that will help you relive your experience in Piedmont.
Let’s look at 15 of my favorite food souvenirs and gifts to bring back from Piedmont. Although many of these items are sweet, there are plenty of items that can be used in savory cooking as well.
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Where To Buy Food Souvenirs in Piedmont
You can pick up food souvenirs in Piedmont practically everywhere but I always find the best items at small shops or alimentari or sweet shops. In addition, Turin is home to Eataly, a now famous Italian food store with locations worldwide.
The original Eataly store location is outside the city center but if you are a real foodie, it’s well worth the tram ride or walk. It’s enormous with several different restaurants inside the market.
In addition, don’t overlook the following types of stores for food souvenirs from Piedmont:
- Enoteca – wine shop
- Supermercati – grocery stores
- Torrefazione – sweets/coffee store
- Mercato – open air markets
Food Souvenirs And Gifts From Piedmont
Chocolate
Some of the best chocolate in the world comes from Piedmont thanks to Ferrero (owner of Nutella). If, however, you are in Piedmont look for famous chocolates such as cremini or gianduiotti that are locally made by artisan chocolate makers instead of mainstream brands.
Other larger chocolate company brands are Caffarel, Streglio, Pernigotti and Peyrano, all of which are based in Piedmont.
Crema di Nocciola (Gianduia)
Gianduia, or chocolate hazelnut cream spread is a delicious edible souvenir to bring back from Piedmont that speaks to the local chocolate industry and agricultural importance of the prized hazelnuts from this region. Opt for artisan varieties rather than Nutella, which you can easily find abroad these days.
Gianduiotto
Gianduiotto is a trapeze shaped hazelnut chocolate that is creamy and smooth. Buy them either milk or with dark chocolate.
Cremino
Cremino is a small square chocolate sandwich with three layers: the outer two made with chocolate with a center layer of hazelnut. Creamy and rich, this chocolate is similar to the gianduiotto but may come in other flavors.
Tip: If you are eager to try a variety of local chocolates, many small chocolate stores allow you to purchase “in bulk” or by singular chocolates. Pick a bag and choose a couple of each to sample which ones you like the best before buying several of just a single variety.
Risotto Rice
Piedmont is Italy’s largest producer of rice, most famously in Vercelli and Novara for its Arborio and Carnaroli rice, both used to make risotto. While you can find these rice varieties abroad, the ones you come across in Piedmont will be freshly harvested and trust me, it makes a difference!
Make It: To learn more about the risotto from Piedmont, check out Traditional Food In Piedmont.
Truffle Products
Piedmont is famous for the White Alba truffle or the Tartufo Bianco di Alba, foraged between October and December. Look for any number of truffle products at alimentari, grocery stores and open air markets.
More On Truffles: If you love truffles don’t miss Truffles in Italy – All You Need to Know About Tartufi to learn all about the local truffle fair in Piedmont every fall!
Wine
Piedmont is great wine country boasting some of Italy’s most beloved and prized wines including Barolo and Barbaresco, two of my favorites. For white wine, bring home a Moscato.
Cheese
Piedmont produces some of Italy’s most famous cheese such as Toma, Robiola, Gorgonzola, Sernium, Bra, Murazzano, Castelmagno and Fontina, just to name a few. Keep in mind that you CANNOT bring home fresh cheese to most countries. Instead, opt for an aged cheese such as Castelmagno or Fontina which can be vacuum packed.
Marron Glacés
Marron Glacés are candied chestnuts which are particularly good should you find them freshly made in a pastry shop in the fall or winter. You can certainly buy them in grocery stores but they don’t even compare to the artisan made kinds. Keep in mind that they are fragile so they must be packed with care or in a tin for safe travel.
Bicciolani
Bicciolani are small square shortcrust cookies flavored with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and pepper from Vercelli. Pasticceria Follis is famed for these little cookies that hold up well to time.
Pastiglie Leone
Pastiglie Leone is a famous Italian hard candy originally from Turin. These tiny pastel colored drops are available in countless flavors including classics such as lemon to more innovative and unconventional flavors such as lavender and Spritz. These Italian candies are the best food souvenirs for kids from Piedmont!
Hazelnuts
Piedmont hazelnuts called Tonda Gentile delle Langhe are a protected designation of origin (PDO) and highly prized in all of Italy. Many gelato flavors, chocolates and desserts are made from these hazelnuts. Should you be in Italy in the fall be sure to pick up a bag of these to bring home with you and enjoy all year round.
Grissini
Grissini are thin, crispy breadsticks served with meals and with cocktails or wine during aperitivo hour in all of Piedmont. Grissini are a top food souvenir to bring back from Piedmont, especially if you prefer savory items. Paired with a good bottle of wine, these make a great food gift.
Vermouth
Vermouth was originally invented in Turin back in the 1700s making it one of the most famous food souvenirs to bring back from the city. If you have never had Italian vermouth, know that it’s sweet, not dry but it can be enjoyed as an aperitif or digestif.
Local Coffee
Piedmont has a coffee culture unlike other parts of Italy. While many other Italian regions typically use mainstream brands, Piedmont is more focused on small coffee roasters with original coffee blends. Keep your eyes out for small coffee shops selling their coffee to bring back home with you.
Good To Know: Lavazza, one of Italy’s largest coffee brands, was founded in Turin so if nothing else, pick up some of their ORO espresso coffee to use with your Moka pot.
Dried Mushrooms
Dried mushrooms are a great food souvenir from Piedmont (prime mushroom territory!) if you are worried about the weight of your luggage. Dried mushrooms weigh next to nothing and are such a great way to flavor Italian recipes. My favorite kind is porcini but you will find several including truffles for sale. Buy them at markets or at small gourmet shops for the best value and quality.
Baci di Dama
Baci di Dama are small round hazelnut cookies with a creamy chocolate layer. Light yet bursting with chocolate-hazelnut flavor, these cookies make a great food souvenir from Piedmont paired with some coffee.
Dried Tagliolini Pasta
Thin, egg ribbon pasta called tagliolini is a staple in the regional cuisine of Piedmont. This is another great option for folks stretched on their luggage weight. Just be careful because the pasta can get crushed easily!
Curious to learn what else you should bring back from other regions in Italy?
Find the best souvenirs and gifts from Emilia-Romagna – Florence – Naples – Piedmont – Puglia – Rome – Sardinia – Sicily – Tuscany – Umbria – Venice.
Gifts and Souvenirs: Be sure to check out all of my gift guides and souvenir guides!
