A bite of Sicily: orange aroma and pistachio cream.
Rating: 7/10
A staple on Italian tables, panettone is undoubtedly one of the main symbols of Christmas. Among the endless variations, the pistachio panettone is a must, and navigating the countless supermarket and artisanal options is no easy task.
Among the "most famous" is undoubtedly the pistachio panettone produced by Pasticceria Di Stefano in Raffadali, which offers a vast range of panettoni with the most diverse and intriguing flavors.
The packaging is extraordinary, featuring a truly original "trunk"-shaped box, as well as decorations that strongly recall Sicilian carts. It exudes Sicilian tradition in its presentation, just as much as in its taste.
The appearance of the panettone is beautiful, with an all-green glaze, but above all a large quantity of whole pistachios embedded on top, strictly from Raffadali and therefore of excellent quality.
Upon cutting (and tasting), it reveals a panettone with excellent leavening, featuring a wide alveolation and fantastic softness. The dough is also slightly moist, which only adds a further sense of freshness to the product. The dough has a distinct traditional panettone flavor, particularly due to the prominent orange aroma.
The pistachio cream, made with 25% pistachio, is very good and the pistachio flavor is noticeable, but not at its peak. The delicacy of the cream, combined with the strong aroma of the dough, means that the pistachio taste, while present, is quite muted. Around the cream, there is also a sort of "candied" element (also visible in the photo).
In conclusion, an excellent panettone that will surely satisfy those who love the orange aroma, provided you accept a small compromise on the pistachio flavor, hence the final rating, regarding the pistachio taste, of 7/10.
