Going Clear, Going Raw. Grezzo: the paradise for vegan chocolate lovers

No, this post has nothing to do with the famous documentary about Scientology even if Eating is a religious matter in Italy.

This posts is about a type of cousine that is considered detox, so, good to clean yourself or at least your stomach. And it talks about chocolate, one of my inalienable passions.

Grezzo is a vegan raw patisserie from Rome that has now opened a new shop in Torino, in Via Amendola 9D, 2 minutes walk from Porta Nuova Station.

Since they do not use animal milk, it is perfect for those like me who are lactose intolerant. Funded by a chef, Vito Cortese, and a business man, Nicola Salvi, here you will find pralines and ice-cream processed at less than 42°C.

Prices might be higher than average. But consider they use pure and raw ingredients such as cocoa, fresh, dried and shell fruit. Believe me, these delicacies are definitively value for money. Moreover, each portion is an explosion of flavours, you won’t need that much to feel satisfied. So, for a breakfast, a short break or simply to treat yourself, Grezzo is worth the visit.

 

 

In Torino, they also serve coffee, which of course is not raw. If you arrive in a quiet moment, ask for a little tasting experience. I had the possibility to taste three different types of homemade chocolate and their daily made almond milk. I only had to paid for my coffee.

Grezzo also organizes raw vegan cooking courses. I took part in one of them, led by the pastry chef, actress and inspiring woman Patrizia Romeo.

 

 

What I loved about Patrizia is that she didn’t present her cuisine as the best or something you must absolutely follow.
And I don’ think I will ever embrace the vegan philosophy. But I’ll certainly explore this world as what I have seen is a genuine, colourful and tasteful way to present fruit and vegetables.

 

 

And don’t make the mistake to think that just because it is raw, you do not have to work to prepare these recipes.
Here, food is simply processed in a different way. You dry, marinate, mix, cut and blend. Be sure that what you use is fresh and mature at the right point since you can’t use heat to adjust or cover blemishes.

So, if you want to visit Grezzo, from Porta Nuova, cross Piazza Carlo Felice, which opens in front of you as soon as you exit for the Station’s main access. Take the arcades on the right and reach Via Roma. Once you are there, turn left in the first street and then immediately right. That is Via Amendola, a parallel street of Via Roma. You will find Grezzo on the right. If you want to follow one of their courses, check their Facebook Page.