Gianduia
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Gianduja is one of the masks of the Italian Commedia dell'Arte, typically representing the town of Turin (and Piedmont in general).
The mask depicts an honest peasant of Piedmontese countryland, with a certain inclination for wine, gastronomy and beautiful girls, while strictly faithful to his lover Giacometta, who is usually represented by a cute girl.
His origins are in Callianetto, a county between Turin and Asti, and his name in Piedmontese dialect sounds "Gian d'la dojia" (it is pronounced "Gian d'la duia") which means something like "John who appreciates good wine". As many Piedmontese people do.
He is dressed (in the usual version) with a tricorn hat, a brown jacket with red borders, and has a happy humour.
The character of Gianduja was originally created as a marionet and is now Turin's official "king of the Carnival".
- Gianduja is a chocolate hazelnut gelato that originated in Switzerland, as did Gianduia fondue.
- Gianduja (or, more commonly, Gianduia) is also the name of a typical sweet chocolate and a biscuit produced in Piedmont after traditional recipes.
- An evolution of Gianduja chocolate is industrially produced by Ferrero and best known as Nutella.