Christmas is approaching and if you haven’t already done so, the time has come to buy panettone to bring to the table. But which one to choose from the supermarket shelves? The answer comes from the new ranking drawn up by Gambero Rosso, which put the best leavened products from large-scale distribution to the test.
The ranking is the result of a rigorous blind test conducted by experts of the highest level who have tasted numerous classic panettoni from Italian large-scale retail trade.
The goal? Identify the most convincing productions, evaluating aromatic notes, management of fats and sugars, consistency and quality of the ingredients. The best panettone have been selected for their ability to offer fresh and clean aromas, without weighing down the palate. Let’s find out what they are right away.
The 8 best panettone in the supermarket
1. Tre Marie – Milanese Panettone (€13.90 for 1kg)
The undisputed winner is the panettone from the historic Galbusera line. This low-type leavened product without icing has won over all the experts for its exceptional quality. Voluminous, soft and well coloured, it has a defined shape and a bright crumb with a dense honeycomb texture. The generous citrus notes combine perfectly with the lactic hints, creating an opulent profile. Candied orange peels are plump and flavorful, making for a memorable tasting experience. The only small note concerns the sultanas, of slightly lower quality than the rest of the ingredients, but it is really a detail in a practically perfect industrial product.
2. Maina – Il Gran Nocciolato (€8.90 for 1kg)
Maina takes second place with a frosted proposal. After 60 hours of processing, this galup presents itself with a uniform and crunchy hazelnut glaze, perfectly balanced with the more delicate internal dough. The aromas are sober but present, with notes of sweet cooked flours and faint hints of cream and orange blossom. It excels in chewing and solubility, resulting in a decidedly above average taste.
3. Bistefani – Traditional Panettone (€7.90 for 1kg)
The real surprise in the ranking comes from the Langhe. This Milan panettone without icing has a structure with citrus scents with hints of yeast, enriched with full-bodied and aromatic candied orange. Experts particularly appreciated the balanced management of fats and sugars, which makes it pleasant on the palate without being heavy. The only small flaw: a slightly drier dough than expected.
4. Giovanni Cova & C. – Classic Panettone (€13.90 for 1kg)
The centenary brand taken over by the Muzzi family interprets panettone in Piedmontese style, without frosting. The crumb with its contained alveolation contains generous candied orange, lemon and citron fruits, accompanied by particularly juicy large raisins. On the palate it stands out for a sustained sweetness reminiscent of white chocolate, with an adequate consistency even if not particularly stringy.
5. Gentilini – Glazed Panettone (€15.90 for 750g)
An interesting evolution for the historic Roman biscuit factory. This panettone is reminiscent of the low prototype of the Piedmontese school, well baked and crowned with an amaretto icing rich in raw almonds. The presence of almonds distinctly characterizes the aromatic profile, attenuating the fruity tones and lactic hints. An original choice for those looking for something different from the classic.
6. Balocco – Panettone (€5.99 for 750g)
Balocco’s Piedmontese panettone impresses with its excellent texture: stringy and soluble at the right level. The hazelnut colored crust hides a dough with a pleasantly buttery and biscuity feel. The aromas are delicate, almost shy, with not very incisive candied fruit, but the finish in the mouth remains clean and pleasant.
7. Bauli – Classic Panettone (€6.99 for 1kg)
The Veronese company, famous for pandoro, offers a tall panettone with double natural leavening. It stands out for its intense citrus scent which prevails over the lactic and vanilla notes. The structure, although not particularly stringy to the touch, is pleasantly moist and makes chewing easier. A product with an inviting appearance and a balanced flavour.
8. Maina – Panettone (€6.90 for 750g)
Maina panettone was born from the union of two historic families in the Italian confectionery industry. The result of a 60-hour process, this tall Milanese panettone has a good shape and releases citrus aromas. The slice offers sufficient moisture and softness, even if the experts found a lower quality in the internal ingredients: the raisins are not very meaty and the candied orange peels are slightly fibrous.
