Today, Kevin and I are excited to try a selection of Venchi chocolate bars from Italy. We have three varieties: milk chocolate with hazelnuts, Crino 1878, and Tiasu. The milk chocolate bar with hazelnuts and the Tiasu bar were priced at $8.29 each, while the Crino 1878 was $7.99 at Jungle Jim’s International Market. Special thanks to my friend Brian for helping us pronounce these names correctly!
Venchi Milk Chocolate with Hazelnuts
This 100g (3.52 oz) bar is a product of Italy, featuring milk chocolate and Piedmont hazelnuts. It’s gluten-free with four servings per bar, each serving being 150 calories. The bar itself is beautifully designed, resembling a jewelry box.
Tasting Notes:
- Texture: The hazelnuts are large, making it hard to gauge the creaminess of the chocolate.
- Flavor: The hazelnuts dominate the flavor, overshadowing the chocolate’s creaminess.
- Conclusion: While the chocolate is softer, it isn’t particularly creamy due to the prominent hazelnuts. There are no American candy bars with whole hazelnuts like this one.
Venchi Crino 1878
The Crino 1878 bar includes milk chocolate, white chocolate, hazelnuts, and almond paste. It’s also gluten-free, with five servings per 110g (3.88 oz) bar, each serving being 130 calories.
Tasting Notes:
- Texture: This bar is extremely soft and almost melts immediately upon touch.
- Flavor: The combination of hazelnuts and almond paste creates a creamy texture and a rich, nutty flavor.
- Conclusion: While delicious, the bar’s tendency to melt quickly makes it less convenient to handle. It’s best enjoyed chilled or cut into smaller pieces.
Venchi Tiasu
The Tiasu bar offers a mascarpone-flavored, triple-layered experience with coffee and bittersweet chocolate. It’s gluten-free, with five servings per 110g (3.88 oz) bar, each serving being 130 calories.
Tasting Notes:
- Texture: The bar features three distinct layers of milk chocolate, white chocolate, and dark chocolate.
- Flavor: The strong coffee flavor is balanced by the sweetness of the chocolates, creating a complex taste experience.
- Conclusion: This bar melts in stages, providing a prolonged flavor release. While the coffee flavor might be strong for some, it’s a favorite for coffee enthusiasts.
Final Thoughts
The Venchi chocolate bars are high-quality and unique, but their premium nature comes with a higher price tag. The milk chocolate with hazelnuts, though flavorful, could benefit from smaller hazelnut pieces for a better texture experience. The Crino 1878 stands out for its creamy and nutty blend, despite its quick melting. The Tiasu bar, with its layered textures and robust coffee flavor, is a standout for those who appreciate a sophisticated taste profile.
Have you tried these Viny chocolate bars? If so, let us know your thoughts and how much they cost in your area. These bars are definitely a treat worth experiencing, even if just occasionally.
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