The sweet aroma of Panetone has permeated Barcelona for the past decades, becoming a Christmas tradition that has captivated the hearts of the city.
This idyll began almost fifty years ago when Jordi and Oriol Madern, the brothers behind the iconic Foix pastry shop, discovered this delicious Italian delicacy and decided to bring it to the streets of Barcelona.
Since then, the Panetone has been on the rise in the Catalan capital. Nowadays, most of the pastry shops in Barcelona are proud to elaborate this Christmas sweet in an artisanal way, thus setting a trend.
The love story of the Foix pastry shop with the Panetone has its roots in the 1970s, when Jordi Madern, inspired by a trip to Italy, decided to introduce this artisan pastry into his repertoire.
Although they recognized at the beginning that it was not perfect, people appreciated the novelty and bought it. To perfect their creation, the Madern brothers traveled to the pastry school in Lyon and sought the guidance of panettone master Rolando Morandin, who became their main advisor.
After years of dedication and improvement, Oriol Madern, head pastry chef at Foix, is considered one of the greatest experts in Panetones in Catalonia. Now, Joe Moretones takes the lead in the elaboration of these delicacies, continuing the tradition started in 1977.
50 years of Panetone history
Over the years, the offer of Panetones in Barcelona has diversified. La Foix offers a variety that includes the classic orange, lemon, citron and raisin, as well as innovative options such as chocolate panettone, hazelnut gianduja or marron glacé.
The latest addition to the list of delicacies is Panetone with hand-candied fruit from the Madern family of fruit trees, including oranges, lemons and even Japanese yuzu.
Panetone fever has spread to many pastry shops in Barcelona. From historic names like Carrió, Baixas, Canal or Mas to more modern ones like Cloudstreet, Panes Creativos, L’Atelier, Hofmann and La Pastisseria, pastry chefs have embraced the trend, offering their own artisanal versions that compete in quality and flavor.
The rise of the Panetone in Barcelona is not just a passing fad; it is a phenomenon rooted in the city’s culture. The Barcelona Pastry Guild estimates that sales of Panetones have increased tenfold since 2014, reflecting the devotion that locals have developed for this delicious holiday treat.
Barcelona and Panetone
Panetone’s popularity is due to its versatility. This sweet can be enjoyed at any time of the day, is perfect for sharing, makes an ideal gift, has a long shelf life and, above all, its artisanal production is a spectacle in itself.
