Polvorones, also known as mantecados, are a delicious and traditional sweet that has its roots in the rich history of Spanish baking, with a special link to the town of Estepa, Seville, and the Poor Clare nuns of this region. This little delicacy has gained popularity both in Spain and around the world, becoming an essential element of the festivities and a sweet Christmas gift.
History and Origin of Polvorones
The origins of Polvorones date back to medieval Spain, where the influence of the Arab occupation left its mark on the pastries of the Iberian Peninsula. The combination of almonds, sugar, spices, and animal fat (usually lard) became a fundamental base for the creation of these sweets. The term "polvorón" comes from the action of crumbling into powder when eaten, given its brittle texture.
In particular, Estepa, a picturesque town in the province of Seville, has played a fundamental role in the history of the Polvorones. The Poor Clare nuns of Estepa were the guardians of this ancient recipe, keeping the tradition of making Polvorones alive for centuries. These nuns, with their experience in baking and their devotion to quality, contributed significantly to the evolution and dissemination of this delicacy.
The Clarisse nuns of Estepa not only jealously preserved the original recipe, but also perfected it, achieving a product of exceptional quality that has become a benchmark in the pastry industry.
Polvorones Today
Today, the Estepa powder dumps remain a living testimony of this rich tradition. These sweets remain popular and are an iconic gift during the holiday season. They come in various forms and flavors, and continue to delight the palates of those who try them. Currently you can enjoy the traditional almond Polvorones or varieties of sugar-free Polvorones for those who want to take care of their diet, more select products such as the artisan almond Polvorones from the firm 1880 or the Sancho Melero mantecados from Antequera.
The basic recipe for Estepa Polvorones continues to maintain its traditional ingredients, such as lard, almonds, sugar and toasted flour. The influence of the Clarisse nuns of Estepa is reflected in the quality and authenticity of these delicious mantecados.
It should be noted that there are differences between Polvorones and Mantecados. Although the main ingredients are common, since both are prepared with a dough made from wheat flour, Iberian pork lard and sugar; We find differences in their preparation. Roasted Mediterranean almonds are always present in the Polvorón, in the case of mantecados they may or may not contain almonds. On the other hand, cloves are one of the ingredients that cannot be missing in the Polvorón, and that gives it that special and unique touch.
Another difference between mantecados and Polvorones is the shape and size. In fact, the shape of the Polvorones is characterized by being oval. In addition, the Polvorones are covered with a thin layer of icing sugar that gives them that characteristic appearance.
For its part, the shape of mantecados is almost always rounded. And if we look at their finish, the vast majority of mantecados are finished with sesame or sesame in some of their flavors. You can always buy Estepa mantecados online and enjoy this Christmas sweet, if you like it as much as we do.
The shape of the Polvorones is oval and they are covered with a very characteristic thin layer of icing sugar. For its part, the shape of the mantecados is rounded and topped with sesame (sesame) in some flavors.
Quality agreement
It was in the 19th century when Polvorones and Mantecados began to be produced by more and more companies, so in 1927 the mayor of Estepa met with all of them to sign a document that guaranteed the quality of the product.
This great leap occurred when one of the town's residents stopped manufacturing horse carriages to manufacture the specific machinery to produce the powders. Currently, both the polvorones and the mantecados from Estepa are protected under the Protected Geographical Indication to guarantee their quality.
Where to buy Spanish Polvorones
At Christmas it is easy to find Polvorones and Mantecados in any pastry shop or supermarket; they are highly in-demand products both inside and outside of Spain, but you may have a hard time finding them if you live abroad. To buy polvorones and mantecados you can go to stores that sell Spanish products online like Your Spanish Corner, we make daily shipments to all EU countries. It doesn't matter if you live in Berlin, Paris, Brussels, Oslo, Stockholm, Poland, Prague or Budapest, you can buy mantecados, Polvorones or any other Spanish Christmas sweet like nougat and we will send it to your home.
In our online store you can not only find polvorones and mantecados, we have everything you need for you to spend an unforgettable Spanish Christmas. At Your Spanish Corner you can also buy the popular SUCHARD nougat, DELAVIDUA marzipan and all kinds of Spanish Christmas sweets. Of course you can also find the best sausages that can never be missing at the Christmas holidays in Spain, such as a good Iberian ham, a good Iberian loin from Guijuelo, a Spanish Manchego cheese or the popular Flor de Esgueva cheese.
In conclusion, the Polvorones have a rich history and are intrinsically linked to the town of Estepa, Seville, and the Poor Clare nuns of the region. Their legacy lives on today, and these sweets continue to be an emblem of Christmas in Spain and beyond. When you enjoy a powder from Estepa, keep in mind the deep heritage and dedication of the Poor Clare nuns who have kept this tradition alive for generations. Happy Holidays!