COVER N. 350 - ITALY

Postmark: 39020 Senales - Schnals (BZ) - C Poste Italiane 11.11.2023

Posted on the 11th November; received on the 28th November 2023

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The Phantom was on the ride again... this time to the mountains of the Italian Tyrol, wherefrom he sent me this deliciously flavoured Cover. Thanks a lot, Alex!

Cioccolato di Modica originated (guess where?) in Modica, a town in the island of Sicily. 

It is a Protected Geographical Indication staple and it differs from other chocolates in its manufacture process, since it is cold processed and only from two main basic ingredients: cocoa paste and sugar. Since there are no high temperatures involved in the manufacturing process, the sugar remains crystallised inside the mix, which can also be flavoured with the addition of citrus fruits and spices.

In 2020, Poste Italiane issued a total of  13 stamps in its series dedicated to the excellence of the productive and economic system, each highlighting a famous Italian brand.

The Tariff B (International, Zone 1, up to 20g) self-adhesive stamp dedicated to Modica Chocolate was issued on 15OCT2020.

The stamp is illustrated with an image of a Masetro Cioccolatiere rolling another portion of cocoa and sugar mix, with the clock tower of Modica in the background and the seals of Indicazione Geografica Protetta and Ciocollato di Modica IGP to its left. 

Postage on the cover was completed with a 0,05 label, and the postmark indicates that the cover was mailed from Senales, a town in the Italian Autonomous Region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.