A Mother’s and Grandmother’s Tradition, Concha

Published July 21, 2024

by Efrain Gonzales

I personally have fond memories of my late Mother, sitting in the kitchen with her, both of us enjoying a Concha Pan Dulce while sipping on some delish Cafe de Olla. She enjoyed making this sweet coffee drink for us, I’m sure it reminded her of her deep Mexican roots and traditions from back home in Mexico and more likely her Mother and Grandmother’s tradition as well.

It is now five centuries of tradition and flavor of this Mexican sweet bread. Yes over 500 years that Mexico has developed a unique gastronomic culture by fusing the best of two cultures, that of the local people and that which came from Europe. The final result is a rich variety of dishes of all kinds that has stood out for its great variety, flavor and originality. There is no Mexican table without traditional Pan Dulce “sweet bread”.

Concha: Perhaps the most traditional Mexican sweet bread. Its name comes from its resemblance to a shell and is usually covered in sugar, either with a touch of vanilla or chocolate. This bread was consumed in New Spain by Creoles and Spaniards, and it was not until Independence that all the people had access to it.

Now you know why there are so many PANADARIAS “bread stores” throughout town or you may have seen El Pan the “bread man” drive up to your street in his pickup truck delivering bread while your local neighbors rush out to greet him to get their daily dose of Pan Dulce for the entire family..

Buen Provecho!

Art title; My Grandmother’s tradition.
Art by; Dr. G Artlab.