Just as in the traditional tales of princes and their adventures, legend is mixed with reality to give a whole new flavour to the story.
In 1922 Luisa Spagnoli, one of the founders of Perugina, decided to find a use for the chopped hazelnuts being used in the production of other products. Mixing these ingredients, adding dark chocolate to the outside and a hazelnut to the top and an example of modern art applied to chocolate, took shape. To say they had a precise 'form' however, would have been an exaggeration. The new chocolates, yet to adopt a defined shape, were so irregular that they resembled clenched fists! They were put on display in Corso Vannucci in Perugia, the traditional home of Perugina, going by the name "Cazzotti della Perugina", or "Perugina Punches".
Giovanni Buitoni, the other historic founder of Perugina, could not have been too taken with having 'punches' in the window and decided to christen them with a softer and more appealing name, thus beginning a dynasty of affection that is still going strong today.
He decided upon a short name, a common gesture, a way of "showing affection" or "speaking of love": Bacio. A kiss - and so Baci were born.
This, a blend of reality and myth, is how Baci became part of Italian folklore.
Mischievous, affectionate, dreamy and passionate, 'kisses' – both the action and the product - were a perfect communications vehicle.
