Traditional marzipan treats up to 5% more expensive this year

Panellets, Catalonia's traditional marzipan treats eaten on La Castanyada and All Saints' Day, will be more expensive this year as the price of ingredients – as well as of electricity – has forced artisan pastry chefs to raise prices.

"We'll try to not raise prices too much, but we foresee a 3% to 5% increase," on last year, Èlies Miró, the president of the Barcelona Bakers' Guild, told the Catalan News Agency.

Bakers, nonetheless, are excited to celebrate the holidays with no restrictions for the first time in two years and expect sales to reach pre-pandemic levels: 250,000 kilos of artisanal panellets across Catalonia.

Pine-nut-covered treats are, as usual, the biggest sellers by far – around 75% of all panellets sold, the guild estimates. Others in high demand include almond, coconut, mushroom, chestnut, and coffee-flavored treats.

"People want to get together for the festivities and the fact that there are no restrictions will make it easier to celebrate La Castanyada," Miró said.

Last year, health and safety measures limiting mobility and were still in place. Another plus this year: All Saints' Day, November 1, is on a Monday, making it a long weekend.

What are panellets?

Panellets are small round marzipan cakes found in Catalonia as well as Aragon, Valencia, the Balearic Islands, and Andorra and are eaten on All Saints’ Day, which is known locally as 'Tots Sants'. 

Their exact origin is unclear, with some hypothesizing that they could possibly date back to the time of the Muslim Iberia of Al-Andalus due to their almond base. 

In any case, by the early 19th-century panellets were used as offerings placed on the tombs of the deceased coinciding with the Christian All Saints’ Day holiday. Although nowadays graveyard visits on November 1 may not be as widespread as they once were, people still enjoy eating these sweets as much as ever as part of the larger 'Castanyada' tradition where people also get together to feast on roast chestnuts and sweet potatoes.