A large delegation of conference attendees of the XXXII Siea 2024 Conference, led by President Prof. Biagio Pecorino, visited the Modica IGP Chocolate Museum with the aim of acquiring first-hand knowledge of the history of the product and the characteristics of the first and, to date, only European chocolate with the IGP mark.
The delegation was welcomed by the director Nino Scivoletto who illustrated the complex process that led to the PGI recognition, starting from the preliminary need to demonstrate, on the basis of certain documentary evidence, the link between the product and the territory.
This need gave rise to archival research at the State Archives of Modica, specifically in the Grimaldi family archive, research led by the ethnoanthropologist Grazia Dormiente, who was able to demonstrate with certainty the presence of master chocolatiers who produced chocolate for the Grimaldi family since 1746.
The organoleptic properties of the only chocolate in the world produced with only two ingredients, cocoa paste and sugar, and according to a low-temperature processing technique, give Modica PGI chocolate that granularity which is among the main characteristics that led to the registration of Modica chocolate in the European register of PGIs in October 2018.
The production evolution of Modica PGI chocolate was illustrated; production has in fact increased from 170 thousand kilos in 2019 to 330 thousand kilos of chocolate produced in 2023. The notable contribution of Modica chocolate to the growth of the tourism sector was highlighted, which has recorded an increase in accommodation facilities in the last decade with three-digit growth percentage values.
A tasting of Modica IGP chocolate concluded the visit; all guests were given a bar of Modica IGP chocolate produced by NACRE’, dedicated to the visit to the Museum, of which a copy signed by Prof. Biagio Pecorino was placed in the special section of the museum dedicated to special wrapping.
Prof. Pecorino received a gift of Grazia Dormiente’s book, “Il Primato del Cioccolato di Modica”, published by Poligrafico dello Stato, and a mini-folder with a commemorative stamp dedicated to PGI Modica Chocolate.
Place: Chocolate Museum of Modica
