Caffarel, a chocolate factory founded in Turin in 1826, is celebrating its 200th anniversary. From the very beginning, the company has successfully combined artisanal chocolate-making with innovative production methods.

The combination of cocoa and the Tonda Gentile delle Langhe hazelnut led to the gianduia tradition, a pairing that helped define the identity of Piedmontese chocolate and from which, in 1865, the Gianduiotto was born. Considered the first individually wrapped chocolate in history, the Gianduiotto soon became Caffarel’s signature product, and more than 160 years after its creation, it is still made using the traditional extrusion method, that is, by pouring the gianduia paste onto a plate with machinery installed in the 1960s that remains in operation today. This production tradition continues at the Luserna San Giovanni plant, where the manufacturing method is combined with the exclusive use of Piedmont IGP hazelnuts for the Caffarel Gianduiotto, maintaining the product’s strong connection to its region of origin. This legacy of expertise and tradition has also been recognized at the institutional level: the trademark registered by Caffarel in 1972, “Gianduia 1865. The Authentic Gianduiotto of Turin,” has been recognized since 2022 as a Historic Trademark of National Interest by the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy.

In 1997, the company became part of the Lindt & Sprüngli Group, merging its history with that of another great chocolate tradition. Since then, the Group has supported its development through consistent investments, preserving its production methods, identity, and connection to Piedmont. Over the past five years, the factory has doubled its production volumes, a growth driven by the Group’s investments and, in particular, by the new hazelnut roasting center, built in 2024 and recently expanded with a second area.

Today, the plant is one of the most important production sites for the Lindt & Sprüngli Group: from Val Pellice, Caffarel chocolate reaches consumers all over the world. In fact, 70% of the volume produced in Luserna San Giovanni is destined for international markets, and Caffarel-branded products are now available in 49 countries.

Furthermore, the Lindt & Sprüngli Group has chosen Luserna San Giovanni as the global production center for Lindt Choco Wafer: the new production line will be operational starting in 2027, further increasing the site’s annual production capacity and the number of people employed there.

“Caffarel’s 200-year history also tells of a deep connection to Piedmont, a capacity for innovation, and a craftsmanship passed down through the generations. From an idea conceived in Turin in 1826, a unique approach to chocolate took shape, bringing Piedmontese quality and craftsmanship to consumers around the world,” says Giulia Muzzin Scevola, Marketing Director of Lindt & Sprüngli Italy. “For us, the bicentennial is not a point of arrival, but the foundation from which to continue creating, investing, and innovating, keeping the dialogue between tradition and modernity alive. We want to grow while remaining true to this identity, continuing to generate value for our region and strengthening Caffarel’s presence in Italy and on international markets.”