![]() |
18-month aged Ragusano Stagionato and cheese shop ladies |
About 9 miles (15 km) down from the main part of Ragusa is a town of Modica.
![photo IMG_2172_zpsc19cb7eb.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/October%202012/IMG_2172_zpsc19cb7eb.jpg)
![photo IMG_2213_zpse921af8f.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/October%202012/IMG_2213_zpse921af8f.jpg)
It's another very historic town with old architecture. Modica is also famous for chocolate. Modica chocolate has the origin of history dating back to 16th century. The technique was brought by Spaniards who ruled the area. Still now, Modica chocolate is made in basically the same manner as the ancient Aztecs did.
![photo IMG_2211_zpse8c842d2.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/October%202012/IMG_2211_zpse8c842d2.jpg)
![photo IMG_2179_zps58e4af0e.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/October%202012/IMG_2179_zps58e4af0e.jpg)
![photo IMG_2180_zps3d80d0dd.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/October%202012/IMG_2180_zps3d80d0dd.jpg)
So, we visited a couple of famous chocolate shops in town. Modica chocolates are not only made in the ancient manners but also made with no additives. I tried so many different kinds and loved them so much.
![photo IMG_2192_zps2656640c.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/October%202012/IMG_2192_zps2656640c.jpg)
![photo IMG_2184_zps25b3ef09.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/October%202012/IMG_2184_zps25b3ef09.jpg)
![photo IMG_2191_zps3b4b6e64.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/October%202012/IMG_2191_zps3b4b6e64.jpg)
![photo IMG_2190_zps65379ce3.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/October%202012/IMG_2190_zps65379ce3.jpg)
![photo IMG_2196_zpscb100909.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/October%202012/IMG_2196_zpscb100909.jpg)
Luckily, we happen to meet the chairman of Modica Chocolate Association. He was such a friendly and nice gentleman and took us to Modica Chocolate Lab and Museum. It was such an interesting experience to learn about Modica chocolate in depth.
![photo IMG_2198_zps41e89489.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/October%202012/IMG_2198_zps41e89489.jpg)
![photo IMG_2203_zps736c9911.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/October%202012/IMG_2203_zps736c9911.jpg)
![photo IMG_2200_zps2edcbe01.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/October%202012/IMG_2200_zps2edcbe01.jpg)
We also walked around and stopped by at different shops on the main street. At a butcher and salumeria, they gave us a lot of tasting of salami and cheeses.
![photo IMG_2210_zps355b1f80.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/October%202012/IMG_2210_zps355b1f80.jpg)
![photo IMG_2208_zps17815780.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/October%202012/IMG_2208_zps17815780.jpg)
![photo IMG_2204_zpsae950560.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/October%202012/IMG_2204_zpsae950560.jpg)
Here's another cheese shop. They brought a big block of uncut 18-month aged Ragusano Stagionato and gave us a tasting. It had the nice balance of saltiness and rich umami flavor. I loved it so much that I bought a large slab of it.
![photo IMG_2220_zps71fd3da1.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/October%202012/IMG_2220_zps71fd3da1.jpg)
![photo IMG_2215_zpse28369a4.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/October%202012/IMG_2215_zpse28369a4.jpg)
![photo IMG_2218_zps304568b0.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/October%202012/IMG_2218_zps304568b0.jpg)
![photo IMG_2217_zps3b561652.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/October%202012/IMG_2217_zps3b561652.jpg)
![photo IMG_2216_zps22d96867.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/October%202012/IMG_2216_zps22d96867.jpg)
We were already quite full from all the tastings from those gourmet shops, so we decided to have a very light lunch with wine at a local restaurant. I loved the local style antipasti misti. Fresh ricotta was fabulous.