The ships that returned from the New World to the piers of Europe unloaded unusual, mysterious, exotic products such as hard and fibrous sugar cane, fragrant and exhilarating cinnamon, vanilla beans with their intense and dizzying aroma, and pungent nutmeg. They also brought small yellowish beans that grow near the cocoa trees and which were to become the wonderful, world-wide beverage known as coffee.

To further improve the raw mixture created at the beginning of the chocolate-making process and to satisfy the demanding palates of consumers, confectioners also add hazelnuts, almonds, peanuts, walnuts, pistachios and honey.
Because of its superior characteristics, one of the ingredients that best complements cocoa is the hazelnut known as the "Tonda Gentile Delle Langhe". This superior type of Piedmont hazelnut was developed and is grown in the area known as the "Langhe" - a succession of twelve hills located between the Tanaro and Bormida rivers in the province of Cuneo.

Particularly favourable conditions of soil, water, and climate, along with special care taken during cultivation, are the reasons behind this hazelnut's excellent taste, which is characterised by a perfect balance between the oil contained in the nut and its dry components. With its rich aroma and delicate flavour, the Tonda Gentile delle Langhe is the world's finest quality hazelnut.