What is a Christmas sweet “Panettone”?
When it comes to Christmas sweets, panettone is one of the most indispensable items for Christmas in Northern Italy!
Panettone is a Christmas sweet that originated in Milan and is like a pound cake. There is dry fruit inside. As Christmas approaches, this Italian Christmas cake will line up at pastries, supermarkets, bakeries, and everywhere. The packaging with ribbons is also pretty, just like a Christmas present!
The size of the panettone is quite large. For example, it is slightly larger than the standard size of a Christmas cake that you can see in Japan. Some shops also sell small panettone, so if you want to have just a bite, you can try this size.
By the way, in central and southern Italy, they have another cake called “Pandoro,” a sweet that resembles panettone. It is often eaten there. Unlike panettone, there is no fruit inside.
When do Italians eat panettone?
It’s a Christmas sweet, so I thought I would eat it only on Christmas day, but that’s not the case.
In December, Italians eat it as a snack or dessert after a meal. At the cafe in Milan, I often saw people eating panettone with coffee in the afternoon. Also, at home, they often buy big panettone and eat it as a snack while looking forward to Christmas.
Shops where you can buy delicious Panettone in Milan
1. Cova
Located on Via Montenapoleone, where there are high-end boutiques, “Cova” is famous as one of the finest patisserie. There is also a cafe where you can eat panettone.
Cova
| Address |
Via Monte Napoleone, 8, 20121 Milano MI, Italy |
| Website | http://www.pasticceriacova.com/ |
2. Vergani
Vergani is known as the traditional patisserie founded in Milan in 1944. The main product is, of course, panettone. The shop has a retro and rustic atmosphere and is cute.
There are various flavors of Panettone such as classic, mixed berry, pear and chocolate, and apricot and pear.
Vergani
| Address |
Corso di Porta Romana, 51, 20122 Milano MI, Italy |
| Website | http://www.panettonevergani.com/ |
In Tokyo, you can buy a panettone here!
It seems that panettone is gradually spreading to Japan, and you can find it at department stores and shops that handle imported foods. In Tokyo, try the authentic panettone at Eataly and Princi.
１. Eataly
Eataly is a grocery store that is very popular with both locals and tourists in Milan. There are also two stores in Tokyo.
Eataly
| Address |
Japan, 〒100-0005 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Marunouchi, 1 Chome−9−1 |
| Website | https://www.eataly.co.jp/ |
2. Princi
Milan’s bakery Prince has opened its stores in Tokyo in 2019. You can also eat authentic panettone here.
Princi Daikanyama
| Address |
Japan, 〒150-0033 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Sarugakucho, 16−15 Daikanyama T-SITE N4 |
| Website | https://www.princi.co.jp/ |
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