The light and fluffy Italian panettone is now so popular in the UK, it has become a popular treat on many a Christmas table. Even the budget supermarkets are offering their own versions.
But which is best? Step in reporter Kirsty Bosley who offered to review panettones from Aldi and Lidl for Birmingham Live. But first she had to work out how to eat them.
"Looking at the two mini panettones I was reviewing for this story, I found myself momentarily bemused," she said. "How should one eat a panettone, exactly?
"Do you heat it up? Put butter on? Dip it in your coffee?
"I felt uncultured, but keen to test them, I shoved them into my trap anyway, cold and dry, straight from the box."
Admittedly, it was never part of her "Christmas treat rotation" while growing up, she said. Unlike mince pies and Quality Street.
"But when I saw the little pretty boxes, complete with ribbon on top for hanging, in the discount supermarkets, I wanted to test them out," said Kirsty. "The bread cakes I grabbed from Aldi and Lidl looked very similar, in the same shaped boxes, a picture of what was inside adorning the front.
"Aldi's has an Italian flag on the front, stating it was baked in the country. Looking at the bottom of the Lidl panettone box, I think theirs was too, but they're not making a fuss about it."
The big difference, she noted, was price. The 'Specially Selected' Aldi panettone was £1.35, while the standard Lidl version was just 99p. The Aldi cake was larger however at 100g compared to Lidl's 90g offering.
But the proof of the pudding was in the eating. And one was a clear winner, said Kirsty.
"The paper case that the Aldi panettone was in felt a little bit greasy, and the cake itself was rich with butter," she said. "As I tore chunks off the top, my fingers a little bit slippery, I found juicy sultanas and gems of candied peel studding the light and airy bake.
"Lidl really couldn't compete. It wasn't unpleasant in its dryness, but the lack of fruit disappointed me.
"There was some in there but, not enough to juice things up. It was fluffy, more savoury than its competitor, but I didn't like it half as much.
"Aldi's panettone might be 36p more expensive, but then it's a much more sophisticated product to my (unrefined but still hungry) palette. I think if I had it to spare, I'd rather pay the extra. Now just to learn how I'm supposed to eat the thing..."
Story Saved
You can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.
FAQs
The Aldi cake was larger however at 100g compared to Lidl's 90g offering. But the proof of the pudding was in the eating. And one was a clear winner, said Kirsty. "The paper case that the Aldi panettone was in felt a little bit greasy, and the cake itself was rich with butter," she said.
Is Lidl panettone good? ›
So, when you buy Lidl's panettone, you can be sure you're getting the same traditional recipe that's enjoyed across Italy, from the peaks of the Alps to the heel of the boot. In fact, it's so good that it comes with a Good Housekeeping Institute seal of approval.
Where is Aldi panettone made? ›
The Aldi panettone is made by its in-house brand Winternacht (meaning winter night in German) and comes in two flavors: traditional or chocolate chip. The traditional is made with dried fruit—raisins and candied orange peel, in Aldi's case. And the Winternacht Panettone is made in Italy, so you know it's the real deal.
How much is Lidl panettone? ›
Lidl has brought back its pannetone which outsold all others on the market in 2022 according to data – with five flying off Lidl shelves every minute from October to December last year. Returning in a bigger-and-better format, and priced at £4.49, this Italian dessert is a must in the run up to the festive season.
What is the difference between cheap and expensive panettone? ›
Made in Italy: entry-level vs.
Artisanal panettone will have higher amounts of yolks and butter without emulsifiers or preservatives. They will contain real vanilla beans and not the cheaper vanillin.
Which supermarket sells the best panettone? ›
- Fortnum & Mason's Panettone. ...
- Tesco Finest Tiramisu Style Panettone. ...
- Waitrose Christmas Fruited Panettone. ...
- Authentic Panettone in Tin (Original) ...
- Chiostro di Saronno Traditional Panettone. ...
- Selfridges Classic Panettone. Selfridges. ...
- M&S Mini Classic Panettone. M&S. ...
- Breramilano 1930 Traditional Panettone Cake Hat Box. Fenwick.
Specifications. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 Flour, Raisins (16%), 𝐄𝐠𝐠, Candied Orange Peel (13%) (Orange Peel, Glucose-fructose Syrup, Sugar), Sugar, Butter (𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐤), Emulsifier: Mono- And Diglycerides Of Fatty Acids; Salt, Skimmed 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐤 Powder, Flavourings.
Why is panettone bread so expensive? ›
Panettone is made using high-quality ingredients, including butter, eggs, candied fruits, and sometimes premium ingredients like chocolate or dried fruits which can be costly.
What is the original panettone? ›
Panetonne's origin
A young cook, called Toni, came up with a rich brioche bread, filled with raisins and candied fruit. The Duke loved it, and so the tradition of 'Pane di Toni' was born. Later, in 1821, Panettone became a symbol of liberty in Italy.
How do you tell a good panettone? ›
Aroma: The smell from your panettone should hit you as soon as you cut into it. This will be down to using good quality ingredients like Madagascan vanilla and local citrus fruit. Taste: Good panettone will be rich and buttery, with a great golden colour to match.
Storing: Keep your panettone in a dry and cool place (54-65°F), away from direct sunlight. This is especially important if you have purchased a panettone with a glaze; they will be extremely sensitive to heat and light. After slicing, store the remaining inside of the cellophane bag that it was originally wrapped in.
When should you eat panettone? ›
Panettone is synonymous with Christmas in Italy. Traditionally, it is enjoyed post the Christmas Eve meal or on Christmas morning. Families gather around, often pairing slices of this sweet bread with a glass of sparkling wine like Prosecco or a sweet wine like Moscato d'Asti.
Does Aldi's sell panettone? ›
Specially Selected Classic Panettone 500g | ALDI.
Why is panettone so special? ›
It is made during a long process that involves curing the dough, which is acidic, similar to sourdough. The proofing process alone takes several days, giving the cake its distinctive fluffy characteristics.
What is the most expensive panettone cake? ›
The most expensive panettone in the world, since the world has existed, is produced by a pastry shop in Carmagnola, a small municipality. It is worth 700 thousand euros as it is completely covered with gold and diamonds. Her destiny was not to end up in a jewelry store (perhaps Tiffany's), but at an Indian table.
Why is some panettone so expensive? ›
Also, it costs a lot to produce the ingredients for this sweet bread. From good-quality pork to lots of delish raisins and fruits, the overall process is laborious as well. There is simply no place for any substitution of any step in the traditional recipe.
What's so special about panettone? ›
The 'mother yeast' gives the bread its irreplaceable texture and sweet, almost imperceptibly-tangy flavour. It also means that each bakery's panettone has its own specific flavour.
Which is better pandoro or panettone? ›
Yes, indeed, Panettone remains the favorite for Christmas binges. The Milanese dessert is preferred by 46% of Italians, while the Pandoro is in second place with 37%. Third place goes to other typical local sweets, which account for 17%. Men strongly prefer Panettone, with 50% favoring it, over 33% selecting Pandoro.
