Vilafranca del Penedès celebrates 80 years of Catanias Cudié

The Catalan confectionery tradition celebrates the 80th anniversary of Catanias, a signature chocolate-covered almond candy created by pastry chef Josep Cudié in Vilafranca del Penedès.

While Josep Cudié developed the recipe—consisting of an almond coated in caramel and wrapped in chocolate praline—the business was driven by the entrepreneurial vision of his wife, Antònia Salleras. The family began production in a small workshop established behind her father's carpentry shop to utilize available electrical power.

Originally known as ‘cro-crem’ due to their crunchy and creamy textures, the sweets were renamed ‘catanias’ in 1968 to honor Cudié’s mentor, Joan Trens. The brand was officially registered by the family in 1973.