Even in France, the panettonethe symbolic Christmas dessert of our country, has now conquered everyone and it is no coincidence that in supermarkets there is a wide choice of proposals of various types and prices. This year, the magazine 60 Millions de Consumers decided to put it to the test 9 products to help consumers choose the best.
These were the brands sampled for the French panettone test:
What were the panettone most appreciated by the French?
According to the test, the best panettone in terms of quality of ingredients and freshness is the one a U Saveurs branda typical French reference (but produced in Italy) which stands out for the use of eggs from free-range hens and for the absence of synthetic flavourings. This product was appreciated for its composition free of industrial additives and for its superior quality compared to most competitors.
It must be said however, as we read above 60 Millions of Consumers, That:
Unfortunately, it was not possible to taste the U Saveurs panettone because it was impossible to find in shops. However, it would have been interesting to see whether its particularly virtuous composition was reflected in the taste.
Panettone like the one from Intermarché, and all the others that contain artificial ingredients, were judged less favorably. The presence of glucose-fructose syrup and additives to improve shelf life negatively affects the overall quality of the products, according to experts.
The Galup panettonehowever, was among the most appreciated for its consistency, taste but also for its artisanal preparation. Its high price, however, may not make it accessible to all consumers.
But it must be said that, essentially, the French experts they judged supermarket panettone to be generally too dry and indeed rich in ingredients that are not exactly healthy. Probably for this reason
What we already knew is therefore confirmed: if possible, it is definitely better to choose a good artisanal panettone.
How the test was conducted
The test was conducted rigorously, through an evaluation based on various parameters. The quality of the ingredients, the consistency, the freshness and, of course, the taste were the main aspects analyzed.
The panettones were tested in one blind tastingwith particular attention to the composition, such as the use of natural yeast, the absence of margarine, and the presence of additives such as artificial flavors or preservatives.
One of the main surprises that emerged from the test is the large price difference between the various products. Some brands such as Lidl, Carrefour and Auchan offer 1 kg panettone for around 5.49 euros, while those of Monoprix and Galup cost more than 15 euros per kilo.
All the panettone tested are produced in Italy
An important indication is that all the panettone tested were produced in Italy, but only some brands chose to emphasize this origin. If chains such as Auchan, Carrefour, Lidl, Monoprix and U sell panettone under their own brands, other distributors opt for names that evoke Italy, such as Gran Ducale Italia (Intermarché), Tradizioni d’Italia (E.Leclerc) and Cucina Nobile ( Aldi).
But is it really necessary to rely on these “Italian” names to guarantee a quality product? According to French experts, the answer is no. All panettone tested, including those of the brands Auchan, Carrefour Extra, Favorina (Lidl), Monoprix, Monoprix Gourmet and U Saveurs, they come from the same factory in Italy, precisely from San Martino Buon Albergo, in the province of Verona. The products of Carrefour, Lidl and Monoprix also share this origin, which is presumably the Bauli factory, although the production lines for the different panettone are probably distinct.
If you want to discover the best supermarket panettone tested in Italy, you can read the new Gambero Rosso ranking: These 8 supermarket panettone are the best of 2024 (and Lidl is also there), the Gambero Rosso ranking
