Caramelle: A Sweet Dive into Italy’s Candy Icons

Discover the illustrated book by Olimpia Zagnoli one sweet, nostalgic bite at a time.

From the minty Polo ring (“the hole with mint around it”) to the explosive Selz Soda with its onomatopoeic Boom! Sting! Fzzz!, and the timeless elegance of Rossana wrapped in its signature transparent red twist—Caramelle is more than a book. It’s a playful, pastel-coated trip down memory lane, through the sweet world of Italian candies.
Illustrator and visual storyteller Olimpia Zagnoli opens the drawers of her personal candy archive, inviting us into a gallery of graphic design, flavor memories, and joyful weirdness. Every page feels like unwrapping a treat—bright colors, vintage packaging, unexpected anecdotes, and a touch of sugar-fueled magic.

For parents who grew up with these candies tucked in their pockets, and for kids just discovering the wonder of fizzy bites and chewy centers, Caramelle is a multigenerational love letter to Italian sweets. Through Zagnoli’s kaleidoscopic lens, you can almost hear the crinkle of the wrappers and taste the nostalgia as it melts on your tongue.