What is Buccellato?

Witnessing Roman history is an obvious reward for taking a stroll along the narrow streets, pretty squares, and tree-topped antique ramparts of Lucca, which is one of the most beguiling Tuscan towns and the honoured birthplace of the composer Giacomo Puccini.

Did you know that it is also possible to taste the rich Luccan history while walking around the enchanting, historical centre of this lovely town? Presenting to you, the ancient sweet bread of Lucca, which is shaped in the form of a ring and tastes rich and cake-like. The Buccellato tastes utterly sweet and lightly spiced and could be found at many bakeries or even prepared at home.

Buccellato, sweet bread from Lucca

In past, Buccellato was a cake that was deliberately made extra-large for gifts from grandparents to grandchildren to ensure good luck. Today, it is rightfully included in everyday routine and festive celebration of Lucca.

There’s a famous saying in Italian, ‘‘Chi viene a Lucca e non mangia il buccellato è come non ci fosse mai stato’, meaning that whoever visits Lucca and doesn’t feast on Buccellato cannot actually say that they’ve been here!

Not any Buccellato would do the trick for you. The most delectable Buccellato can be savoured in the Pasticceria Taddeucci shop; a refined shop started in 1881 by Jacopo Taddeucci, and now taken care of by the fifth generation of his family. While it may look like a long, narrow grocery shop, it showcases huge windows that lavishly display a wide assortment of Buccelattos.

Taddeucci’s most famous production is the Buccellato Lucchese, a mildly sweet cross between bread and coffee cake, comprising of anise and yeast with a lightly tender scent that you cannot simply resist.

Related article: What are some typical dishes from Lucca?

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