Venchi Covent Garden, London

A sweet taste of Italy in the heart of London

Venchi is an Italian family-run business renowned for its decadent chocolates and luscious gelato. Based in Piedmont, Italy, Venchi was founded in 1878 by Silviano Venchi. Today, its 140-year Italian legacy is as vibrant and innovative as ever as it continues to expand across the globe, delivering moments of pleasure to the masses in more than 70 countries.

Venchi is ‘artisan’ at its best, showcasing the traditional Italian heritage of chocolate making while continuing to expand their luxurious range of products – currently they have 350 chocolate products and 90 gelato flavours (including seasonal flavours such as mango and pineapple and coconut sorbets for the summer months). It’s safe to say the world has fallen head over heels in love with their unique products and the integrity of their brand.

Naturally delicious chocolate

All ingredients are ethically and intelligently sourced with an emphasis on quality. Venchi sources pistachios and almonds from Sicily, olive oil from Liguria and cocoa beans from plantations in Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador. The chocolates are then produced in Piedmont – the birthplace of Italian chocolate. The chocolates are free from artificial flavourings, colourings, hydrogenated fats and palm oil and are light on sugar, free of gluten and full of natural flavour.
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Chocolate spreads and hot chocolate are made with the same care and attention as the finest praline. There really are no compromises made in their vow to “allow everybody, every day, to enjoy a simple and genuine moment of real pleasure - a piece of the Italian lifestyle”.

It’s easy to see why Venchi has become so popular as you savour the most intense chocolate buttons with all the aroma of jasmine flowers or other chocolates with a distinct fruity hit. Some of their most popular products include the traditional Giandujotto and the Cremino, which features pistachio and elegant crème brulée.
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During my recent visit to Venchi, which included a chocolate tasting from GB Mantelli the guardian of Venchi’s recipes, I tasted the 100% cocoa chocolate, which took me by surprise as its savoury taste lingered in my mouth in a way no chocolate has ever done before; reminding me of the tannins in a good red wine. 

Handmade, small-batch gelato
Venchi makes it gelato fresh each day in their ‘gelato laboratory’, using local English milk to avoid using long-life milk.  During my visit, I enjoyed a medley of the highly revered gelato – nougatine followed by Cuor de Cacao adorned with chocolate grains and finally a strawberry sorbet to cleanse my palate – which rounded off my experience beautifully.

The verdict
Venchi Covent Garden is in the iconic piazza, a perfect location for one of their sophisticated stores. There’s no better testament to their success than the swathes of Londoners who fill this boutique every day to be transported to Italy for a little mouthful of heaven.
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Venchi Covent Garden
18 Henrietta Street 
London
WC2E 8RB

http://www.venchi.com/uk

Luci Lyne