What is Italian sweets "Panettone"? An explanation of its relationship with Christmas, its history, sales status in Japan, and more!

Introduction

Panettone is a traditional Italian sweet known worldwide. Its fluffy texture and flavors of candied fruit and raisins make it an essential treat, especially for celebrating Christmas and New Year. This article will explain in detail the origins of panettone, its production process, its popularity around the world, and how to enjoy it

What is Panettone?

Panettone is a traditional sweet leavened bread originating from Milan, Italy. It is enjoyed in many regions, including Western and Southern Europe, South and North America, during Christmas and New Year celebrations. Its distinctive shape is a cylindrical base with a rounded dome-shaped top, and it is usually about 12-15cm high

Candied orange peel, citron, lemon zest and raisins are added to the dough and mixed dry, and this long fermentation process gives it its characteristic soft and airy texture

Depending on the region, there are also chocolate-filled and plain variations, and sliced ​​panettone is commonly served with sweet drinks or dessert wine

The origins of panettone

The name panettone comes from "panetto," which means "small bread." When the suffix "-one," meaning "big," is added to this name, it becomes "big bread."

The earliest record of it is from the Christmas lunch menu at the Borromeo University in Pavia, Italy, in 1599, which records the cost of ingredients and the recipe at the time, and the first documented association of it with Christmas festivities as a "luxury bread" appeared in the 18th century

Evolution and spread in the 20th century

In the early 20th century, two Milanese bakers established the technique for mass-producing panettone: Angelo Motta in 1919 and Gioacchino Alemagna in 1925. They each launched their own brands, creating the tall, dome-shaped panettone. This competition led to the widespread industrial production of panettone today

After World War II, it became available at affordable prices and became a standard Christmas treat throughout Italy. It also spread to South America through immigrants, and is now a tradition enjoyed with hot cocoa and liqueur in countries such as Argentina and Brazil

Popularity and Variations Overseas

In South America, panettone is known as "panetón" in Spanish and "panetone" in Portuguese. In Peru, an improved version has been developed to suit the local climate, incorporating candied papaya, among other innovations. Per capita consumption in the region exceeds that of Italy, making it the world's largest consumer of panettone

It is also popular among Italian communities in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, and is being promoted as a brand by multinational companies.You can also find panettone on the shelves of supermarkets and grocery stores in Japan around Christmas time

How to enjoy panettone

Panettone is typically cut into wedges and served with mascarpone cream in Italy. This cream, made with eggs, mascarpone, and sweet liqueur, enhances the rich flavor. It's also recommended to enjoy it with a sweet sparkling wine like Asti or Moscato d'Asti

Recommended Panettone Brands Available in Japan!

You can now enjoy panettone, a traditional Italian Christmas treat, in Japan. This time, we will introduce some recommended panettone brands that can be purchased in Japan

LOISON
is a long-established Italian confectionery manufacturer founded in 1938. They are known for their panettone, which is made with high-quality ingredients and traditional methods. Using Sicilian orange peel and the finest raisins, their panettone is carefully crafted by skilled artisans. Their products are also available online in Japan.

COMO
is a Japanese brand that incorporates traditional Italian manufacturing methods, and its appeal lies in its long shelf life. Its unique manufacturing process allows it to maintain its moist texture and rich flavor for a long time. It is available for purchase online.

Kaldi Coffee Farm
carries many imported foods, so you can buy panettone at an affordable price. They also offer their own original brand of panettone, so you can easily enjoy the authentic taste. It is available in stores and online.

Seijo
Ishii, a chain that stocks high-quality foods, also sells panettone. Made with carefully selected ingredients, it features a refined sweetness and flavor. You can purchase it in-store or online.

PECK,
a luxury grocery store originating from Milan, Italy, offers panettone with a traditional flavor. Imported directly from Italy, it's an authentic dish with a combination of raisins and orange peel. It's available at the Takashimaya online store in Japan.

The panettone introduced here can be purchased from each store's online shop or mail order website. Limited edition products and special packaging are often available during the Christmas season, so we recommend checking early

summary

Panettone is not just a Christmas sweet, but is loved all over the world, beyond its birthplace of Milan. Another appeal of panettone is that each year each brand releases a limited edition flavor or taste for that year, so you can enjoy it with a fresh feeling every year

If you're interested, why not give it a try?