Revisit Pain D'Epice

Revisit Pain D'Epice

As the festive season arrives, Fabulously Delicious, The French Food Podcast revisits a much-loved solo episode celebrating pain d’épices, one of France’s most iconic winter and Christmas treats. Warmly spiced and deeply aromatic, this traditional loaf is closely associated with Christmas markets, festive tables, and the comforting flavours of the season.

This episode is a replay of an earlier favourite, shared especially for listeners who may have missed it the first time around — or for those who enjoy rediscovering a familiar story during the holidays. With no new material added, it’s a chance to settle in and enjoy a timeless exploration of a dish that feels perfectly suited to Christmas.

In this episode, host Andrew Prior delves into the origins of pain d’épices, its historical roots, and its place in French food culture today. From medieval spice routes to regional variations across France, the episode highlights how this humble spiced bread has endured for centuries.

Whether you’re listening while baking, travelling, or simply soaking up the festive atmosphere, this Christmas revisit offers a moment to slow down, savour the season, and enjoy one of France’s most enduring and evocative festive flavours.

Transcript

Speaker: 0:00

Bienvenue This is fabulously The French food podcast, the things French cuisine, culture that shape life in France at food becomes comforting, So today I'm revisiting a about Panda Peace, a beautifully perfect at home during the If you've heard it before, consider this a warm rediscovery. And if you're new, you're in for French cooking isn't just about ritual, and the stories passed In this episode, I explore the place in French French food appear on tables and markets and I'm your host, Andrew Prior. Enchanté. And the former MasterChef Australia contestant now calling France home. I spend my days cooking, tasting and celebrating the extraordinary food traditions of this country and sharing them with you is my favorite experience. So whether you're listening for festive favorite, pour yourself If you're not driving, of Get cozy and settle in. Welcome back or be avenue to The festive season brings a Here in France, one culinary the hearts as well as stomachs fragrant, spiced bread that's Its rich history, incredible flavor make it a cornerstone of But Panda Peace is more than just a treat for special occasions. It's a delicious bridge between that has stood the test of time French culinary traditions. So let's explore its origins, why it's a favorite for so many. Panda peace is spelled pun, in French and to peace spelled d which in French means spice. It can also be called panda is the French version of European style gingerbread, this added to it, especially and There, as one of the main also more of a cake or bread France is a country that celebrates its regional specialties, and pan de peace is no exception. In the Alsace region, it's common to find versions started with dried fruits or candied orange peels, adding a festive twist. These loaves are often enjoyed paired with mulled wine or a hot In Brittany, bakers sometimes use buckwheat flour alongside a rye, giving the bread a unique nutty flavour, and Breton versions are also darker and denser, and this reflects the region's rustic culinary traditions. Even within Dijon, which is arguably the capital of pancakes now, here in France, there are subtle differences. Some bakers add a splash of recipes, infusing the bread with Originally, the panda piece was leavening agent added to it. It would be left in a wooden for months on end, whilst the They would then bake the loaf in Nowadays they use baking soda or There is a version of pan de honey merchants here in France, peace de miel. The panda peace is sweetened rich or heavier, some would say of the honey. False panda peace feels as Its story begins much earlier, to ancient civilizations. In Egypt, honey was highly but as a sacred ingredient. The Egyptians baked honey sweetened breads, offering these to their gods and sustenance for the elite. The Greeks and Romans adopted Spices were added to honey cakes, which became part of the culinary repertoire. Honeyed bread was even said to to restore energy and vitality, truly took shape when these rich spice trade that flourished By the tenth century, in China, a honey and spice bread known as mekhong had captured the attention of travellers and merchants. This delicacy, made with wheat, prized export along the Silk This concept reached Europe, where medieval bakers embraced the combination of honey, spices and bread. But in France it found its true peace that we know today. Pliny the Elder reports that Romans knew the panis Miletus, a fried bread sprinkled with honey, and however, they were only the precursors of the current gingerbread. During the Middle Ages, spiced with luxury and celebration in regions that are already famous Panda took on a unique identity. It wasn't just the Crusaders who cinnamon and cloves that Monastic communities played a Monks, known for their expertise in fermentation of preservation began perfecting recipes for spiced breads, often using rye flour, which was abundant and hearty. The use of honey rather than Honey was more than a sweetener. It was a natural preservative, winters and travel. Panda became a symbol of hospitality that was gifted during holidays and shared at feasts. Granted, the capital of champagne became an early hub of Pentecost production. By fifteen seventy one, the established, setting strict could be made. This ensured quality and beloved regional speciality. Yes, there was a corporation of and this corporation separated bakers and just focused on And then in fifteen ninety six, to form their own chapter. Unfortunately, in World War One, the Reims production industry was devastated. Maguelonne de Saint-Simon, a focuses on food, cuisine and its the commercial production of the Reims, and this recipe is, it pastry cook, and Borge, who his mistress, Agnes Sorel. Agnes apparently really loved it, and this helped with its popularity. The flour used in this bread was the dark buckwheat flour of Brittany. Going back in history before the the pan de peace took off in the other manufacturers and read the speciality of the city of As time marched on, Dijon emerged as the undisputed capital of Pendarvis, and whilst the town was already famous for its mustard, its spice bread industry flourished. During the eighteenth and bakers were known for their spice and methods that elevated But Dijon's version of Pantops isn't just about flavor, it's about craftsmanship. The bread is baked with It's textured, dense yet tender, and its sweetness subtle yet profound in Dijon and more specifically in the nearby city of Bern. I had the pleasure of visiting with a group of French food lovers, the Mulo and Petit Jean store. Its history goes back a long It's said that the fourteenth the wife of Duke Philip the was a wheat flour and honey A variant of this bread, made the Panda Gouda. Barnaby Bouchier, who was from long, started the commercial manufacture of gingerbread in Dijon, and in eighteen oh four published an ad in Le Journal de la Cote saying Mr. Boitier manufactured gingerbread of all kinds. Ways of homes in Montpelier kinds of croquettes in marzipan Here's a large assortment of all of these objects for your perusal. In eighteen thirty eight, his taken over by Louis Merlot and Roux in nineteen oh one passed law, Louis August Pettijohn. This began Merlot and Pettijohn, panties and other treats in This store is a highlight for must do in my opinion. We had organized an English store and do a tasting when we was not the case. Luckily though, as my French wasn't really that great back then. In twenty fifteen, my husband who was with us, he on the spot, took over the job of translating for us. We learned all about the store's delicious pan de peace, which I The Dijon gingerbread is set with a sourdough wheat flour and This is all mixed together and left for two weeks before egg yolk. Spices, including anise there, are added to it by using the sourdough method. There's apparently three percent than other panda pieces. Merlot and Petit Jean is now the only artisanal gingerbread factory left in the city of Dijon. If you're having gingerbread only be called rings gingerbread flour, whereas Dijon gingerbread that's made with wheat flour. And the Reims gingerbread has no eggs, butter or milk added to it. Dreaming of Paris? Or maybe you're already lucky enough to live in the city of lights. Love and good food. Either way, let's talk about the It's food. As someone who's had the absolute pleasure of calling Paris home, I've spent years exploring its incredible culinary treasures. And now I want to help you That's why I wrote Paris, a world's most delicious city. This twenty twenty five edition to Paris, featuring over four recommendations that will make From the city's best indulgent chocolate shops and more, this guide has it all. And that's not all. I've added brand new sections where to find the best views expanded food walking tour to the city like a pro. Whether you're craving flaky pastries, creamy cheeses or unforgettable dining experiences, this guide has got you covered. Ready to explore Paris like Grab your copy today at Andrew Com for a single Gift package edition, or find it on Amazon and Kindle. Your Parisian food adventure it Bon voyage and bon appétit! At its heart, penned a piece is honey and a blend of spices. That simplicity, as any great true genius lies. Rye flour gives the bread its characteristic density and nutty flavor. Unlike wheat, rye produces a beautifully with the sweetness Speaking of honey, it's the soul The type of honey used can vary from lighter honeys, which lambda mild sweetness, and darker varieties like chestnut honey that add depth and complexity. And then there are the spices. Cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and anise are all common. But every baker has their secret In-house bakers often include a Whilst in Provence, you might floral note to the bread. The dough is traditionally fermented, a practice that dates back centuries. This not only enhances the bread its long shelf life. A practical feature in pre What makes Panda Piece truly though in French cuisine it's It's an ingredient that can One of the most iconic pairings The sweetness of the bread complements the rich, buttery flavor of the foie gras, creating a luxurious balance of flavors. This pairing is a staple on holiday menus and is often served at fine dining restaurants. Cheese lovers also adore Panda A slice of this spiced bread creamy Brie is nothing short of The sweetness of the bread tempers the saltiness of the cheese, creating a perfect harmony. But let's not forget dessert. How can we forget the dessert Panda piece can be used as a for cheesecakes, or even layered sort of thing. In some French patisseries, you'll find panda piece macarons, a modern twist on a classic for many families in France. Baking panda is a cherished Children help mix the dough measure out the spices. The aroma of the bread baking in Christmas cheer at Christmas Stalls selling pentups are a decorative paper or tins. It's a popular gift, a gesture And whilst painter Piece is appeal and legacy resonate similar spice traditions and Universality of spiced breads lies in its comforting warmth and adaptability connection to festive celebrations, making it a beloved culinary staple in many cultures. Perhaps the closest relative to This gingerbread like treat dates back to the thirteenth century and shares a similar flavour profile of honey and spices. Unlike the lo shaped the cocoon is often shaped into during the holiday season, Le icing messages are a favorite at The connection between Lebkuchen and pan de peace is not just coincidental. Both draw from medieval European spice blends introduced through the Crusades and the expanding spice trade. In fact, the bakers of Nuremberg, a city renowned for its lebkuchen, has said to have shared techniques with French bakers during trade fairs in the centuries past. In Sweden, the spiced delicacy takes the form of pepper crisp and wafer thin cookies traditionally enjoyed during the holiday season. Peppercorn shares the warmth of ginger, cloves and cinnamon that's found in the pan de peace. Swedish folklore suggests that making it was believed to bring good fortune and even foster harmony. An enchanting nod to the joy that baking spice treats brings to households. The Dutch Speculoos is another These spiced cookies, pressed into intricate molds depicting windmills or ships or folklore characters, are a hallmark of festivities. Christmas. Though cookies are the dominant low style versions that bear French panda piece. Like the French bread, Speculoos spices like cardamom, cloves and or honey for sweetness. Interestingly, the molds used for speculoos echo the decorative gilding of traditional French panda peace tins. The spice bread traditions in Europe owe much to the culinary influence of the Middle East and North Africa. The concept of combining honey with spices and breads has roots in ancient Persian and Arabic cuisines. Dishes like baklava, layered pastry with spiced honey, syrups and cookies with spiced date fillings show how the blend of sweetness and spice has always been celebrated. When European settlers brought their baking traditions to the Americans, spiced breads and cakes evolved yet again in colonial New England penned a piece inspired early versions of gingerbread, which incorporate molasses instead of honey, are often seen in the Southern United States. Recipes for ginger spiced loaf Often flavored with dark Whilst these adaptations differ they carry the same spirit of What connects these centrepiece is their shared role celebration and community. Spice breads and cakes are more They're carriers of culture, and global communities, from the Europe to the aromatic bakeries England, the influence of Spy bakers around the world, whether The universal language spiced generations, in my opinion. Here's my favorite recipe, and the panda piece. The ingredients you'll need two honey, two hundred and fifty hundred grams of powdered sugar, one teaspoon of all spice ginger, a teaspoon of ground anesthesia, or green anise, as of baking powder and a teaspoon Two large eggs and one hundred The method preheat your oven to one hundred and sixty degrees Celsius. Fan butter and flour a loaf pan. In a small saucepan, heat the Sift the flour, baking powder, sugar, and the spices into a large bowl. Warm the milk in a small Add the honey to the flour bowl Then add the eggs one at a time Pour in the milk and mix and stir as you stirring at the same time. Place the mixture into the loaf Bake in the oven for an hour and that can be placed in the clean, then it's ready. If not, bake for another ten Cool on a rack and then once of the pan, wrap in aluminium container for twenty four hours The me Panda piece is more than It's a connection of history, culture, and the joy of sharing something special with loved ones. Whether I'm baking it at home or Petitjean, it never fails to So this holiday season, why not try your hand at making panda peace? It's easier than you might think worth the effort. Before I go, I just wanted to listening and for being part of community, especially during the However, you're celebrating table with family and friends or I hope your days are filled with traditions, and a few Fabulously If you love the podcast and Fabulously Delicious going well beyond, you can support the show Your support there helps me to and sharing these stories of tradition with you, and it Thank you for listening, for sharing the podcast, and for supporting it in whatever way you can. I'm incredibly grateful to have Join Noel Bonnefoy and I'll see As I always say, whatever you do, do it fabulously and bon appetit. Avoir.