A very simple panettone and a good pistachio cream.
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, though navigating the numerous supermarket and artisanal options is never easy.
Among the many offerings, here is the one produced by SicilFrutti in Bronte, and sold online by the well-stocked site PistacchioInSicilia.it.
The packaging is very beautiful, using green and purple to evoke the two main colors of Bronte pistachio, framed by white to soften the overall look.
The dough is truly super simple, with little sugar and almost no aromas, which in taste and texture is very reminiscent of a pandoro, without actually being one. This simplicity is nonetheless welcome, given the very sweet cream.
The pistachio cream, provided in a separate jar, has a pistachio content of 20%, all certified Bronte pistachio DOP. The pistachio flavor is clearly noticeable, but the cream is a bit too sweet and "buttery", likely due to the not-so-high percentage of pistachio. On the palate, it feels slightly grainy due to the high sugar content, and it is a bit firm when spreading (though not excessively so).
The coating is made with white pistachio chocolate (10%) and has an excellent flavor, in which the pistachio taste, albeit light, is perceptible. The whole thing is topped with numerous pistachio pieces embedded on top.
Overall, a good product that, while not earth-shattering, earns a rating of 7/10, thanks to a fairly good cream and a coating where the pistachio, however subtle, can actually be tasted (which is not a common feat).
