Laurina Serra, chocolatier at the heart of the kingdom of Corsican hazelnuts
In lu reame di a nuciola, Laurina Serra à core di a ciuccullata
At the foot of the Costa Verde mountains, in the charming village of Cervione in Haute-Corse, a singular address attracts lovers of sweetness and authentic savoir-faire: L'Atelier de la Noisette. It's here that Laurina Serra, a committed chocolatier and rigorous entrepreneur, shares her passion for the PDO hazelnut from Cervione, an exceptional product emblematic of Corsica's agricultural heritage.
From the moment you enter, sweet aromas envelop visitors in a warm, gourmet atmosphere. The carefully designed boutique reflects the elegance and precision of her work. Laurina skilfully transforms "a Nuciola di Cervioni" into a refined range of artisanal products: hazelnut creams, spreads, homemade cookies, oil, flour and sublime chocolate creations. Each recipe is the fruit of local, meticulous and sustainable know-how, where quality and excellence come first.
But the experience doesn't stop there. His workshop, open to visitors from March to December, offers moments of sharing and discovery, where everyone can immerse themselves behind the scenes of hazelnut processing, and savor the creations on the spot. It's a unique taste experience, combining passion, tradition and innovation.
Behind this artisan success lies a demanding daily routine. Between administrative constraints and 25 kg bags of hazelnuts to handle, Laurina leads her project with determination, resilience and a love of her craft. Her commitment, attention to detail and desire to promote local products have made her an emblematic figure in Corsican craftsmanship, actively contributing to the renown of the PDO Corsican hazelnut.
Laurina Serra perfectly embodies the values of cooperation, passion and transmission, and her career illustrates how a project can become a true life mission, combining artisanal excellence, sustainable development and respect for people.
- Can you tell us a little about your background before setting up l'Atelier de la Noisette?
I was born in Cervione and went to school in Corte, then in Aix-en-Provence, where I studied eco-management, marketing and finance, before moving to Barcelona for the Erasmus program.
- What made you want to work with hazelnuts from Cervione?
Studying means a summer job. I worked in this store every summer, and the idea of buying it back in 2016 was both a challenge and an obvious choice.
- What makes the Cervione hazelnut unique compared to other varieties?
It has more flavor and is certified by the IGP label, just like the Piedmont hazelnut. It guarantees an origin, a specific variety (La Fertile de Coutard) and recognized local know-how. They are the fruit of a living agricultural heritage, promoted by passionate, committed producers.
- Is there a particular seasonality to production and harvesting?
Hazelnuts are harvested between mid-August and mid-September, and you have to wait 7 years after planting a tree to get a full crop. I buy the hazelnuts from a cooperative and from the A Nuciola farming association.
- What are the Atelier de la Noisette's signature products?
Our famous Salinu: 10% salt for 90% hazelnuts.
- Which product are you most proud of? Why or why not?
I'm most proud of bringing chocolate into the store and marrying it perfectly with hazelnuts. It's more work, but the result was worth it.
- What would be your ultimate dream for your business?
To continue to make a living from my passion and pass on my know-how.
- If you had to describe Atelier de la Noisette in three words, what would they be?
Quality, Exigence, Sharing
- How many different products do you currently offer?
We currently offer around sixty
- What's your typical day at the workshop? What's your working week like?
I normally work 8 hours a day, but at Easter or Christmas I don't count the hours! The day often starts at 4am and rarely finishes before 7pm. I don't have any downtime between production and deliveries.
- What do you do when you're not working? Do you have any passions outside gastronomy?
I switch off the phone and look after my daughter!
- If you had to go on vacation, where would you go? (apart from Corsica 😉 )
Far away and in the sun.
- What's been your proudest achievement so far?
My tenacity, and my growing passion year after year.
- What is your childhood memory of hazelnuts?
The hazelnut is above all a childhood memory, because every summer, during the harvest, the family would get together for a real moment of sharing.
You can meet her here:
