At King’s Fine Food, we believe that truly exceptional chocolate begins long before the finished bar.
It begins with the cocoa bean, its origin, the people who cultivate it and the knowledge of how to unlock its character.
That philosophy is at the heart of our relationship with Amedei. Founded in Tuscany in 1990, Amedei has built its reputation on a passion for exceptional cocoa, meticulous craftsmanship and a determination to allow the natural character of each origin to shine through.
From rare Criollo cocoa to carefully selected beans from some of the world’s most renowned growing regions, Amedei combines Italian craftsmanship with a deep understanding of cocoa to create chocolate of remarkable complexity and character.
For King’s Fine Food, this makes Amedei a natural addition to our collection – a producer that shares our belief that when the raw ingredient is exceptional, it deserves to be treated with the utmost care.
Amedei at a Glance
Origin: Pontedera, Tuscany, Italy
Founded: 1990
Speciality: Fine Italian chocolate
Philosophy: Bean-to-bar craftsmanship and exceptional cocoa selection
Cocoa origins: Africa, Central America and other renowned cocoa-growing regions
Specialities: Single-origin chocolates, rare cocoa varieties and carefully crafted blends
Signature cocoa: Criollo, one of the world’s rarest cocoa varieties
Craftsmanship: From cocoa selection and roasting to refining and finished chocolate
King’s philosophy: Provenance + craftsmanship + exceptional quality
A Tuscan Beginning
Amedei’s story began in 1990 in Pontedera, Tuscany, when an old foundry was transformed into a small 45-square-metre artisanal chocolate laboratory.
From the beginning, the ambition was clear: to create exceptional Italian chocolate by combining the finest raw materials with traditional methods, careful experimentation and an uncompromising approach to quality.
Rather than simply purchasing finished chocolate and transforming it into confectionery, Amedei set out to understand the cocoa itself – travelling to its origins and developing direct control over the production process.
This philosophy led to one of the company’s defining milestones.
In 1998, Amedei produced Toscano Black 70, described by the company as the first Italian bean-to-bar chocolate. By controlling the process from the selection of the cocoa bean through to the finished bar, Amedei could preserve and express the distinctive characteristics of the cocoa itself.
That connection between origin and finished chocolate remains central to Amedei today.
From the Cocoa Bean to the Bar
Amedei’s approach begins with one simple principle: the origin of the cocoa matters.
The company travels in search of exceptional cocoa and carefully selects beans from different regions and cultivars, recognising that each brings its own aromas, flavours and characteristics.
Its selection includes some of the world’s most sought-after cocoa varieties, including Criollo, Forastero and Trinitario.
Criollo is particularly prized. Amedei describes it as the rarest of the three principal cocoa varieties, with the plant accounting for only a very small proportion of global cocoa production. Its delicate nature and low yields make it particularly precious.
For Amedei, the journey does not end when the beans arrive in Tuscany.
The beans are assessed, roasted and carefully processed, with each stage designed to reveal rather than overwhelm the characteristics of the cocoa.
Amedei’s production process includes quality analysis of the beans, roasting, refining and subsequent stages of chocolate production, all carried out with a strong emphasis on craftsmanship and control.
The result is chocolate that is designed to communicate the personality of its cocoa – rather than simply delivering sweetness.
The Character of Origin
One of the things that makes Amedei particularly fascinating is its approach to single-origin chocolate.
Just as wine reflects the land in which grapes are grown, cocoa can express the environment in which it develops.
Amedei’s range includes chocolates made from cocoa associated with specific origins, allowing differences in terroir and cultivar to come through in the finished chocolate.
One of Amedei’s most celebrated creations is Porcelana, made from Criollo cocoa grown in the Venezuelan region of Zulia, southwest of Lake Maracaibo.
The cocoa takes its name from the pale, almost porcelain-like appearance of its beans and is known for producing a light, harmonious chocolate with a rounded character. Amedei describes tasting notes including almond, toasted bread and bay leaf.
Chuao is another of Amedei’s renowned single-origin chocolates, made from cocoa associated with the Venezuelan region of the same name.
The cocoa is a particularly prized Criollo cultivar whose characteristics have developed naturally in the region over generations.
These chocolates demonstrate something fundamental to Amedei’s philosophy: great chocolate doesn’t need to hide the character of its cocoa. It should celebrate it.
Why King’s Fine Food Chose Amedei
At King’s Fine Food, our approach to sourcing is based on more than finding products that look luxurious on the shelf.
We look for producers who understand the importance of provenance, quality and craftsmanship – and who are prepared to put time and expertise into achieving an exceptional result.
Amedei shares that philosophy.
The company has built its identity around finding exceptional cocoa at its source and maintaining control over its transformation into chocolate. Its commitment to bean-to-bar production means that the journey from cocoa bean to finished chocolate remains central to its expertise.
There is also a strong parallel between Amedei and King’s Fine Food in the importance we both place on provenance.
For us, knowing where an ingredient comes from is fundamental to understanding its quality. Amedei takes the same approach with cocoa, seeking out distinctive origins and cultivars and allowing their individual characteristics to influence the finished chocolate.
It is this shared attention to detail and the belief that exceptional ingredients deserve exceptional treatment – that makes Amedei such a natural fit for King’s Fine Food.
More Than Chocolate
For Amedei, chocolate is not simply about creating something sweet.
It is about flavour, aroma, texture and discovery.
Its short, carefully considered recipes are designed to let the cocoa speak for itself, with Amedei stating that its chocolates contain no soy lecithin, preservatives or artificial flavours.
This simplicity is deceptive.
Behind a beautifully finished chocolate bar is an intricate process involving the selection of cocoa, fermentation and drying at origin, transportation to Tuscany, quality assessment, roasting, refining and the careful transformation of the cocoa into chocolate.
Every stage matters.
And that is precisely what makes Amedei so appealing to us at King’s Fine Food: the finished chocolate reflects the care that went into making it.
From the Factory to the Table
Exceptional chocolate should invite you to slow down and appreciate it.
Amedei’s range offers something for different tastes, from refined dark chocolates and single-origin crus to milk chocolate, gianduja, pralines and more contemporary creations.
For chefs and professional kitchens, Amedei also provides an opportunity to work with chocolate where the quality and flavour of the cocoa are integral to the finished dish.
For the chocolate lover, meanwhile, a simple square can become a tasting experience – revealing different aromas and flavours as the chocolate develops on the palate.
Whether enjoyed on its own, paired with coffee or wine, incorporated into a dessert or given as a considered gift, Amedei brings the same philosophy to the table: start with exceptional ingredients and let them speak for themselves.
Behind the Chocolate
The Amedei story is best understood by seeing the people, craftsmanship and passion behind the finished chocolate.
Our video takes you behind the scenes and into the world of Amedei Tuscany.
Discover Amedei Tuscany
Take a closer look at the world behind Amedei and discover the craftsmanship and passion that have shaped the company since its beginnings in Tuscany.
A Tradition of Recognition
Amedei’s approach has received recognition from the world of fine chocolate.
In 2008, its Toscano Black 63 received a Golden Bean from the Academy of Chocolate in London. More recently, Amedei’s Toscano Black 70 and Toscano Black 80 received Tavoletta d’Oro recognition in 2023 and 2024 respectively.
In 2026, Amedei was again recognised at the Tavoletta d’Oro awards, receiving the award in the Dark Chocolate category for Toscano Black 63.
While awards are only one measure of quality, they provide an interesting reflection of the craftsmanship that has been central to Amedei’s philosophy for more than three decades.
Discover Amedei at King’s Fine Food
At King’s Fine Food, we are proud to bring Amedei’s distinctive approach to fine Italian chocolate to our customers.
From elegant dark chocolate and rare single-origin creations to beautifully presented gift collections, Amedei offers an opportunity to experience chocolate as an ingredient with genuine provenance, personality and craftsmanship.
Whether you are looking for a special gift, a chocolate to savour slowly or an exceptional ingredient for the kitchen, discover the Amedei collection at King’s Fine Food.
Continue the Journey
The world of fine chocolate is a journey that begins with the cocoa bean.
Discover more about the producers and artisans behind the exceptional ingredients available from King’s Fine Food and explore our collection of carefully selected chocolates.
Explore Amedei at King’s Fine Food
