Panettone is a type of sweet bread that originated in Italy, especially in the city of Milan. It is usually eaten during Christmas and New Year celebrations, but it can also be enjoyed at any time of the year. Panettone has a distinctive shape, with a cylindrical base and a dome-like top. It is soft and fluffy, with a light yellow color and a delicious aroma. It contains candied fruits, such as orange, lemon, and citron, as well as raisins and sometimes almonds or chocolate. It is often served with butter, jam, cream, or sweet wine.
What is the Story Behind?
Panettone is a rich and festive cake that has a long and interesting history. There are many legends and stories about the origin of panettone. One of the most popular ones is that of a young nobleman named Ughetto, who fell in love with a baker’s daughter named Adalgisa in Milan in the 15th century. To impress her and her father, he disguised himself as a baker and secretly added butter, sugar, eggs, and candied fruits to the bread dough. The result was a delicious and fragrant bread that became very popular among the customers and the locals.
Another story is that of a cook who worked for the Duke of Milan, Ludovico il Moro, in the 16th century. He was preparing a lavish banquet for the Christmas Eve, but he accidentally burned the dessert. He remembered that he had a leftover bread dough in the kitchen, and he decided to use it to make a new cake. He added butter, sugar, eggs, candied fruits, and raisins to the dough, and baked it in a large mold. The cake was a success, and the Duke and his guests loved it. The cook named it panettone, or “big bread”.
A more historical account is that of a document from the 16th century that mentions a bread called panatton de Milan, or Milanese bread, that was made with wheat, butter, eggs, sugar, raisins, and spices. It was given as a gift to the students of the Borromeo College in Pavia on Christmas Day. This is the oldest and most certain record of panettone as a Christmas bread.
How is Panettone Made?
Panettone is not easy to make. It requires a long and careful process that involves curing the dough with natural yeast, similar to sourdough. The dough is acidic and needs to rise several times, for several days, to achieve its characteristic texture and flavor. The dough is then shaped into a round loaf and baked in a paper mold that supports its height. The baking time is also crucial, as it determines the moisture and softness of the cake. After baking, the panettone is cooled upside down, hanging from metal rods, to prevent it from collapsing.
Panettone is made with high-quality ingredients, such as wheat flour, butter, eggs, sugar, natural yeast, candied fruits, raisins, and sometimes almonds or chocolate. The ingredients must be balanced and proportioned to create a harmonious and delicious cake. The traditional recipe of panettone is protected by Italian law, and only certified bakeries can produce and sell it under the name of panettone.
Why is Panettone Popular?
Panettone is a very popular cake in Italy and around the world. It is estimated that Italy produces more than 7,100 tons of panettone each year, and about 10 percent of it is exported to other countries. Panettone is also widely consumed in South America, especially in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Venezuela, where it was introduced by Italian immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries. Panettone is also enjoyed in other parts of Europe, such as France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Switzerland, as well as in Australia, Canada, and the United States.
Panettone is popular because it is a delicious and festive cake that symbolizes joy and celebration. It is also a versatile cake that can be eaten in different ways, such as plain, toasted, dipped in coffee or milk, or paired with other foods and drinks. Some of the common accompaniments for panettone are butter, jam, honey, mascarpone cream, whipped cream, ice cream, custard, chocolate, and sweet wine, such as Asti or Moscato d’Asti.
Panettone is also a popular gift for friends and family during the holiday season. It is usually wrapped in colorful and elegant packaging, with ribbons and bows. It can also be decorated with flowers, fruits, or ornaments. Panettone is a way of expressing love and gratitude, as well as sharing a piece of Italian culture and tradition.
Here are some additional tidbits to add to your Panettone knowledge:
- The traditional Panettone has a natural sourdough starter, often passed down through generations in bakeries.
- There are two main types of Panettone: the classic Milanese style, with a tall, cylindrical shape and a slightly denser crumb, and the Panettone basso (low Panettone), shorter and with a softer texture.
- Panettone can be enjoyed on its own or paired with sweet wines like Moscato d’Asti or dessert wines like Vin Santo.
- In some parts of Italy, Panettone is served with crema al mascarpone, a sweet and creamy mascarpone-based custard.
Leave A Comment