Gianduja Gelateria di Udine

This will be a quick post because I have stuff to do. So, in at the end of April 2001, we headed to Italy for a few weeks. One of the places that made an impression on us was Gianduja. It’s listed as an ice cream shop, but it also sells pastries some excellent coffees. 

A visit there — and Italy in general — reawakened in us an appreciation for good coffee and great desserts (both hard to find in the US). The coffee I wrote about HERE. The desserts are difficult to describe. Luckily, while Zio Marino was still alive, he responded for my request for a list of desserts offered at Gianduja by sending me the menu . . . 

Now, Gianduja is the name for a hazelnut chocolate spread that predates Nutella (different formulation). You can read a bit about it HERE but you can also search the Internet for it and learn more about it. For a decent discussion of Gianduja versus Nutella, read HERE.

I’m not sure why this scan is clipped . . . 

Now, what’s strange about the caption on the upper right is that it seems as if they are referring to an actual person which — to my knowledge — there is no such. That bit of writing says (and I hope I don’t screw up or I’ll never hear the end of it) and I’m paraphrasing:

“GIANDUJA. This personage passed into history not only for his nice, playful and impish personality but also for his adventuresome life”

I chose the male translation (his) because while “sua” might connotate a female, “personaggio” is definitely male and that trumps all the other words that might go one way or another. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it until I’m told otherwise. 

Anyway, that’s an awesome-looking dessert . . . and that’s only the beginning. 

I’m just going to present the menu as is without any commentary. Anyone wanting to know the writing can use Google Translate. Although, I should warn that it didn’t do the above writing justice. Not wrong, mind you, but not right, either. 

Here we go . . . 

If anyone knows where I can get stuff like that at an ice cream parlor, or patisserie, or coffee shop here in the US, please email me immediately. 

Here’s the gallery of the above for easy scrolling and viewing (told you it was a short post):

That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.

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19 thoughts on “Gianduja Gelateria di Udine

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  1. Gianduja is one of the masks of the Italian Commedia dell’arte and he represents the town of Turin. Gianduja chocolate was invented in Turin in fact. As for the batte: Gianduja vs Nutella. Nutella will always win.

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    1. I should have remembered that . . . no, I can’t say that. I only knew a few of the many:
      http://www.deliciousitaly.com/italian-lifestyle/italian-carnival-masks
      http://www.italymagazine.com/news/three-traditional-italian-carnival-masks

      Still, it was odd that when I did a quick search, all that came up was the chocolate (at least on the first two pages). I guess that’s more important.

      As for Nutella . . . can’t comment because I’ve not had gianduja, but I do know the formulation of Nutella changed sometimes in the last twenty years and I was not happy when it did. So, when you mentioned that, I did some research . . . it’s different because we (here in the US) get the one that’s made in Canada, and the ingredients are not the same. Nor is the consistency. You can read about it here:

      A Tale of Two Nutellas

      So, what I remember is the sourcing change. Then again, the price dropped a lot so I can’t complain. Many a big Costo-bought jars fell to my various experimentations of marrying Nutella to different breads and cookies and nuts and . . . well, you get the idea. My favorite combination was Stella d’Oro grissini dipped in a jar of Nutella. Of course, the lower viscosity of the Canadian version helped.

      Sad note: a few years ago, I gave up Nutella . . . part of my ongoing effort to control both weight and cholesterol. I also gave up many cookies and other stuff that I used to eat with abandon. Such is the tragedy of life.

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  2. I’ll take Gianduja AND Nutella!

    What a coincidence that you wrote this post . . . mother and I “were in” Udine yesterday via Google Maps “browsing the street view” and visiting some of our favorite places . . . we went right past the gelateria on our way to Piazza della Libertà . . . wonderful memories of those delicious delights!!!

    P.S. Mother concurs with your interpretation and definition.

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    1. I did a google view when I looked up the name. I’ve seen it as Gelateria Gianduja di Udine and Gianduja Geleteria di Udine. I went with what was on the menu.

      See the links above for some related information you might enjoy reading.

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  3. The Eyetalians leave the Froggies for dead when it comes to food; The food was the best part of my time in Italy, as for the coffee, great!
    That’s why Australia has such a great coffee industry, the Italian influence. Melbourne in particular has a great Italian section where you get some of the best food and coffee in the country.
    Also has a large Greek influence and the Greek food is sublime. Melbourne has the largest Greek community outside of Athens.
    The suburb of Sydney where I live is the Little Italy of Sydney, Leichhardt and the abundance of good food and coffee shops is outstanding. You probably wouldn’t enjoy it, none seem to serve Spam.
    There are a few Asian restaurants creeping into the area now, but they will be hard pressed to take over.

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    1. Well, that would be one reason to emigrate to Australia . . . the Ayetalian food. I’m sure it’s probably the only mark on the plus side but I’m not looking real hard, either. Some of the photos from down there, at the bottom, seem nice so there’s that.

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  4. 😦 I left a long comment and it didn’t “take”. I’ll try this again. I think I said was…What creative beautiful yummy artwork! 🙂

    I’ll start with the Coppa Coriandolo! And see if I can work through a few others!
    The ones for kids are cute, too! 🙂

    Now I’m hungry!
    Hmm…I do have a banana and some cherries and strawberries in the ‘frig.
    HUGS!!! 🙂

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    1. I hate that, especially since I’m not known for my brevity. Any more, if I write more than a few lines, I copy them before hitting post.

      One other thing you can try, and it works in Windows, is to hit the “back” button and it should go back to the composing window before you posted by after you wrote the comment. That works as long as you don’t do anything else between hitting post and hitting the back button.

      As for what’s in the fridge, you also need ice cream or yogurt.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yes, I know I should always copy my comment before hitting “send” just in case. But, I didn’t last night.

        Oh! Thanks for that advice! I didn’t know that!

        Ha! Yes, I had some vanilla yogurt but no ice cream.

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