Pandolce

Posted by david on Dec 1, 2011 in Artisans, Bakery, Flavors of the Season | 0 comments

The Christmas Bread of Genova

A true classic of Liguria, the pandolce genovese is the typical Christmas sweet of the region. It has ancient origins. From the time of the Pharaohs, it was customary to make enriched sweet bread with raisins. The Genovesi merchants discovered it during their travels to the Middle East and carried it back to their tables, where it evolved over the centuries. Each family had its secret recipe. But all shared in the richness and similarity of the ingredients. The preparation of the bread was a ritual in which the entire family participated. The women prepared it (and if the house were too cold, they carried it to bed with them because it needed to rise in a warm place). The youngest of the family carried the pandolce adorned with a branch of bay laurel to the table and the head of the family cut it after all had kissed the cake. The first slice was saved for the first beggar who would come to the door, the second was held in reserve for maladies of the throat (the pandolce was attributed with therapeutic qualities).

We have attempted to create an authentic version of this bread using the highest quality ingredients (organic when possible). We hope you will enjoy this bread and make it a part of your holiday celebration.

Reserve yours today. Call, email, or stop by and place your order. It makes a perfect gift.