If you are a chocolate lover and are planning to visit Modica, you’ll be happy to know that Modica is known for its chocolates, and not just for its winding alleys and noble palaces in the Sicilian Baroque style. Modica chocolates are made using an ancient technique passed on by the Spaniards when they ruled Sicily many years ago. Tasting these chocolates will be one of the highlights of your trip to Modica.
Seeing as Modica is known for its chocolates, chocolate factories offer tastings and tours to let people know more about Modica chocolate. Some of the shops that offer these tours are Antica Dolceria Bonajuto, Cioccolato di Modica Sabadì, and Il Modicano Fabbrica di Cioccolato Biologico.
As a chocolate lover, you definitely don’t want to miss taking a tour of one of these shops. In this article, we will talk about what kind of tours some of these shops have to offer. Make sure to read until the end if you want a taste of delicious Modica chocolate!
What Is Cioccolato di Modica
Cioccolato di Modica, or Modica chocolate, is an Italian chocolate made in the Baroque city of Modica. Modica chocolate is one of the most famous chocolates in Italy as it is the first and only PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) for chocolate. This means that Modica chocolates are produced and identified specifically in Modica. People buying these chocolates will know that they are buying Inimitable chocolate.
While it is a traditional Sicilian cuisine, the process of making this chocolate was actually brought to Modica by the Spaniards when Spain ruled Sicily during the 16th – 18th century. It was said that the Spaniards learned this from the Aztecs in Mexico.
The chocolates made in Modica have ancient origins and the process of making them is still the same as when they were first introduced to Modica. These chocolates are cold-pressed and are cooked at 40ºC for about 30 minutes. The ingredients used are only cocoa and sugar, and no cocoa butter is added. But, spices like cinnamon, fennel, and chili, are sometimes added for additional flavors.
There are a lot of chocolate shops and factories that sell Modica chocolates. Some of them also offer chocolate tours so people can learn more about the history of Modica chocolates and the process of making them.
Best Chocolate Tours In Modica
Here are some of the chocolate shops and factories that offer chocolate tours in Modica, Sicily.
Antica Dolceria Bonajuto
If you want to learn about the history of Modica chocolate, what better way than to take a tour of the most ancient pastry shop in Sicily? Antica Dolceria Bonajuto, located in Corso Umberto I, was founded in 1880 and is still making Modica chocolates the same way up to this day.
Antica Dolceria Bonajuto has a bean-to-bar laboratory that offers tastings and tours to its visitors. If you plan on taking the tour, you need to book in advance. The factory can take up to a maximum of 20 people and they do tours from Monday to Saturday except on holidays. The tours are also done either in Italian or English.
The tour only lasts for 30 minutes but it does include a tasting with ‘mpanatighhi nougats and cold-pressed chocolate. If you are traveling with children up to 5 years of age, they can take the tour for free.
If you are traveling with children up to 5 years of age, they can take the tour for free. You still need to include them in the booking so the factory knows the total number of people in your party. To book a tour at Antica Dolceria Bonajuto, you can go to their website and fill up the necessary form. They will send you a confirmation email with the date and time of your booking.
Cioccolato di Modica Sabadì
One of the best chocolate shops where you can buy Modica is Cioccolato di Modica Sabadì. This shop is located at Corso San Giorgio next to Duomo di San Giorgio so it is easily accessible.
Sabadì has won the Best Modica Chocolate for 12 years which was awarded by the Compagnia del Cioccolato during the Chocolate Awards. This shop is also the first chocolate shop with the first Chocolate Ageing Cellar in the world.
Sabadì offers tours both in their cellar and factory. They also have guided tasting tours where you can taste chocolates paired with alcoholic beverages such as beer, marsala, whisky, vermouth, and rum. The Chocolate Ageing Cellar tour lasts about 20 to 50 minutes and the tour can be in Italian, English, or French. In this tour, you can see the aging process that Sabadì uses. You will also get to taste some of the aged chocolates at the end of the tour.
Sabadì’s factory tour lasts about an hour and is perfect if you are traveling in large groups. This tour will let you have a glimpse of how Sabadì makes their chocolates. A tasting of chocolates explained in the tour is also included. Booking is required for the tours and you can make a reservation via their website.
Il Modicano Fabbrica di Cioccolato Biologico
Another chocolate factory that offers chocolate tours is Il Modicano Fabbrica di Cioccolato Biologico. Aside from Aztec chocolates, this factory also offers dark chocolates, vegan white, milk alternatives, spreadable creams, and hot chocolates. The factory is about 1.5 km away from the Duomo and it takes about a 5 to 10-minute drive or a 20-minute walk from the cathedral.
The visit to their chocolate factory is free but you do need to book your slot ahead of time. Like with other chocolate factories, Il Modicano Fabbrica’s chocolate tour includes the history of Modica chocolate and its production process. You can have the chance to buy their chocolates at the end of the tour. If you live in other parts of Italy, they offer free shipping with a minimum order of €29.
Guided Tours
There are tour companies that have day tours in Modica and some of these tours include a chocolate tour in their itineraries. If you are planning on doing a Modica tour and you want to visit one of the chocolate shops, make sure to book a tour with a chocolate factory tour included.
Wrap Up
A visit to the beautiful town of Modica is not complete without spending half a day dedicated to taking a tour of one of the city’s many chocolate shops. The process of making them is the same way as how they were made during the Spaniard’s rule of Sicily many centuries ago. One of the factories we included in this article is also the oldest chocolate factory in Italy! You’ll definitely experience a real journey tasting a bar or two of the famous chocolate. If you have any other questions, let us know via the contact form on our website.