Where to by authentic ‘Pan de muerto’ it in London?
By Viridiana Marin
As every year during the spooky season, all Mexicans around the world are craving for ‘Pan de Muerto’ the traditional Mexican sweet bread that is made to celebrate ‘Día de Los Muertos. Bake bread of the Dead at home is not always a good idea especially when cooking is not one of your skills, fortunately, we know where to buy it the UK but first, let me explain to you what is ‘Pan de Muerto’.
What is pan de muerto?
Pan de Muerto or Bread of the Dead in English is a Mexican traditional sweet bread baked to celebrate «el día de los muertos» the traditional Mexican Halloween. This traditional bread is one of the main elements of «la ofrenda». Its classic round shape symbolizes the circle of life and death, the little ball on top represents the skull of the deceased, and the long pieces laid across signify the bones and tears.
There are different types of ‘Pan de Muerto’ in Mexico and it depends on the region, but the classic one is the round covered with sugar. Its soft and spongy texture goes perfectly with a cup of tea or chocolate.
A quick history of the Bread of the Dead
The origin of Bread of the Dead started during the conquest and the Spanish terrorized because of the human sacrifices. The Aztecs used to sacrifice maidens to the gods, placing their hearts in a clay pot, and mixing it with amaranth, something that the Spanish Catholic priests found savage and barbaric. The conquest modified this ritual and instead of it they baked wheat bread to represent the hearts who were to be sacrificed, and covered it with red sugar, representing their blood.
Nowadays, Mexican bread of the dead symbolizes the fusion of two cultures prehispanic and catholic, and represents in a sweet bite one of the most colourful and surrealistic traditions of the world. During mid October and beginning of November in Mexico it is very common to find pan de muerto everywhere, all supermarkets, restaurants, cafeterias, and bakery shops have this delicious bread.
For all of those who are living abroad, specifically in the UK, here you have the best shops where you can buy the traditional Mexican pan de muerto.
Where to buy authentic pan de muerto in UK?
1. Mexican Mama
Mexican Mama has an extensive stock of Mexican products and during this season they also have the traditional pan de muerto that you can pre-order now, if you placed it before Sunday your order will be available from Monday-Wednesday. Hurry up!
2. Mestizo market
Mestizo is one of the most popular Mexican Markets in London with a wide range of Mexican products including Pan de Muerto. You can pre-order for delivery across the UK from Oct 19th. They have different options 3, 6, or 12 pieces ready to satisfy any level of craving.
3. Sweet Nibble Bakery
Sweet nibble Bakery is a bakery store based in London that specializes in all kind of delicious Mexican cakes and pastries, you can order a variety of ‘pan de dulce Mexicano’ included pan de Muerto.
4. Sweet Temptations
Sweet temptations bakes pan dulce Mexicano to bring a bit of Mexico to your home, you can pre-order it via Facebook, they deliver to anywhere in the UK Mainland via Royal Mail, or personal collection in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Let us know if you try any of our recommendations and don’t forget to follow us in Instagram and Facebook.
Keep calm and eat pan de muerto!
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