With the Christmas which is getting ever closer, our thoughts immediately fly to the traditional panettone, symbol of the holidays and undisputed protagonist of our tables. If you haven’t already done so, now is the right time to choose and purchase it. The ideal option is always to opt for a quality artisanal leavened product, but if this is not possible, we can fall back on panettone from large-scale distribution.
To help with the choice, the Gambero Rosso has drawn up a ranking of the best panettone available in supermarketsbased on a blind tasting (i.e. without knowing the brands) which involved various experts in the sector.
The jury of tasters examined 18 panettone purchased in different distribution chainsfocusing on essential parameters to evaluate product quality:
In the end, only 8 products were selected and, as the experts point out, some important companies that one would have expected to find were left out. Let’s discover the ranking, with some surprises, of the best panettone in the supermarket in 2024 according to Gambero Rosso.
The best panettone in the supermarket 2024
Fior Fiore, Coop
The winner is a low type panettone, with a shiny surface and a dough rich in candied fruit, in particular cedar. Despite an unattractive appearance, the quality of taste and consistency make it an excellent, almost artisanal product, with a harmonious and buttery palate. Price: around 11 euros for 1 kg.
Oven Treasures, Todis
This panettone, produced by Maina, stands out for its natural leavening lasting over 48 hours and for its unexpected softness on the palate. Although the candied fruit is not particularly interesting, the quality of the dough and its softness are truly remarkable. Price: around 5 euros for 1 kg.
The Milanese Panettone, Tre Marie
A panettone that in some respects is reminiscent of artisanal ones, with a beautiful shape and a golden yellow crumb that melts on the palate. The presence of Sicilian raisins and orange peels is good, although the freshness of the aromas could be improved. Price: around 15 euros for 1 kg.
Coop
Tall type panettone with perfect leavening and a soft and stringy crumb. The candied fruit, unfortunately, is not very juicy, but the aroma of butter and milk is very present and pleasant. A great option at a low price, around 5 euros for 1 kg.
Trunks
A classic tall panettone, elegant in shape, with a good presence of orange peel and citrus notes. Although its texture is a little “cotton” and the crumb may seem slightly dry, the overall taste is satisfactory. Price: around 9 euros for 1 kg.
Thanks, Esselunga
Low type, this panettone stands out for its shiny dome and regular leavening. Unfortunately, the flavor profile isn’t as fresh as you’d expect, and the texture tends to be more focaccia-like. Despite this, it is quite soft and moist, with a good presence of raisins. Price: around 9 euros for 1 kg.
Favorina, Lidl
Surprise in the ranking, the German chain’s panettone finds space thanks to the persistent citrus notes and the fleshiness of the raisins. The dough, with a slightly messy structure, is nevertheless quite tasty, with a good quantity of candied fruit. The price is super competitive, around 4 euros for 1 kg.
Extras, Carrefour
A panettone with a tall caramelized dome, whose leavening is correct. Despite a pleasant buttery note, the orange candied fruit is not particularly aromatic, and the mixture is slightly dry. The low price (around 5 euros for 1 kg) makes it an interesting option, but with some room for improvement.
You can also read the ranking of the best artisanal panettone: These are the 10 best artisanal panettone of 2024, according to Gambero Rosso
