Red Star Ornament with Assorted Chocolates

Give the gift of sweetness with this adorable star-shaped ornament packed with creamy chocolate “comets” from the chocolate experts at Venchi. Each decorative tin contains individually wrapped truffles with a smooth chocolate shell around a silky filling in three varieties: milk chocolate with a hazelnut cream; milk chocolate with a milk chocolate mousse; and 75% dark chocolate with a dark chocolate ganache.

The northern Piedmont region is known as the chocolate capital of Italy for its incredible density of master chocolate artisans, many of whom have been making fine candies there for hundreds of years. Turin, the region’s capital, is home to an annual chocolate festival that brings together more than 100 makers for a celebration of all things chocolate. It was here that chocolate was first introduced to Italians back in the 16th century, when Duke Emanuele Filiberto brought some of the newly arrived treat home from a visit to Spain, who had just brought cacao over from the Americas. It quickly became a fashionable treat, and master candy makers soon began perfecting their own recipes for chocolate confections. Many made use of easily available ingredients like nocciola Piemontese, the beloved local hazelnuts that are more fragrant and flavorful than other varieties.

It was in Turin that Silviano Venchi spent all his savings on two bronze cauldrons to start a chocolate business in 1878. He found success with nougatine, a combination of chopped, caramelized Piedmont hazelnuts coated in extra-dark chocolate, and quickly outgrew his humble beginnings. His uniquely delicious creations led Venchi to become the official chocolatier for the royal family of Italy in the early 20th century. Today, Venchi is known across Italy for their baroque “cioccogelaterias,” stunningly decorated shops where customers can enjoy decadent chocolates and more than 90 flavors of housemade gelato. Their motto is “Buono buonissimo” in honor of their commitment to using the best ingredients to make the most delicious sweets.