Argentinean town takes chocolate seriously

December 8, 1995

From Correspondent Ronnie Lovler

BARILOCHE, Argentina (CNN) -- Mention the Southern Argentinean town of Bariloche to anyone in South America, and the first thing that comes to mind is chocolate.

This Andean village is a visual delight, known for its mountains, its lakes and the European look of its city streets. But for chocolate lovers, Bariloche is a dream come true.

"The relation between Bariloche and chocolate is strong," said Laura Fenaglio, owner of Fenaglio chocolates. "There is no one who comes to Bariloche who doesn't buy or become tempted by at least one bar of chocolate."

Bariloche's chocolate history began after World War II, when some of the European immigrants who settled here began making chocolates at home.

The streets of Bariloche are now lined with stores selling chocolates and tourists trying to decide which store looks best.

Some of Bariloche's chocolates are still handmade. At Tante Frida Chocolates, it's hard for a visitor to resist sticking a finger in the batter of handmade chocolates.

Other chocolate factories have gone into mass production, but assembly line chocolate production has not given the sweets a mass-produced look. The chocolate tree branches, or "Ramitas" as they are called in Spanish, are typical of Bariloche.

"As there are forests here in Bariloche, we wanted to make an imitation of a tree branch, like our forests," said Benito Secco of Chocolate Turista. "And that's why we started making this wrinkled chocolate."

At Fenaglio Chocolates, chocolate is sold in a fairy tale setting, the aim being to bring out the child in all who go through the store.

"The idea is to feel good when you consume chocolates and to feel that you've entered a magical world," Fenaglio said.

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