How to Buy PANETTONE Like an Italian (The Ultimate Christmas Guide)
The holiday season is just around the corner, and you know what that means—it’s panettone time!
This iconic Italian dessert, originally from Milan, is tall, dome-shaped, and bursting with festive charm. Made with ingredients like butter, dough, natural yeast, candied orange peel, sultanas, and sometimes a hint of vanilla beans, panettone is light, airy, and delicately sweet. Some modern variations even include chocolate versions with chocolate chips, dark chocolate, pistachios, honey, or cream fillings. Many people mistakenly compare it to fruitcake or even call it a cake, but let me tell you—it’s nothing like fruitcake! It can actually be likened more to a sweet bread, as it is made with sourdough starter traditionally which ferments it, giving panettone its signature aroma and spongy texture.
In Italy, panettone isn’t just a dessert; it’s a tradition. It’s the perfect gift, lovingly shared with family and friends, and proudly placed as the centrepiece on the holiday spread.
Which panettone should you buy this year?
If you are not Italian or just aren’t quite sure which ones to buy, there are options from budget-friendly $10 loaves to gourmet versions in creative packaging and choosing which is best can be tricky. That’s where I come in! I’ve tested six popular commercial brands to share my honest reviews and help you pick the perfect one.
All the panettone tasted weighed 1kg, except for Aldi, which is 900g. I went on to judge several key factors, starting with the packaging. After all, if you’re gifting a panettone, it certainly helps if it looks nice from the outside too. Poor-quality packaging often hints at a lower-quality product inside – but this theory isn’t always true! I then went on to test the smell, texture, inclusion of key ingredients and overall quality. Is the dough springy when pressed? Does it bounce back? I was also on the lookout for plenty of fruits evenly distributed throughout the bread, and last but not least, the overall flavors.
So, before you buy your panettone this year, check out which ones will impress your guests (and your own tastebuds)—and which might be better left on the shelf!
Watch my video, How to Buy PANETTONE Like an Italian in 2024
Contenders for Today’s Best Panettone Bread Taste Test
- Tremarie
- Paluani
- Loison
- Bauli
- Motta
- Aldi
1. Tremarie – Classic Milanese Panettone
Price: $35 AUD / $23 USD
Tremarie impressed me right away with its elegant packaging and 72-hour fermentation clearly listed—a great sign of quality.
Opening the bag, the smell was wonderful, and the inside was packed with soft candied orange, sultanas, and raisins. Its dark golden colour showed plenty of eggs and butter were used, and the texture was moist, dense, and luxurious.
For a commercial panettone, it’s as close to artisan as you’ll get. Absolutely delicious!
Score: 9/10
2. Paluani – Classic Milanese Panettone
Price: $32 AUD / $21 USD
Paluani’s packaging is beautiful and looks gift-worthy. The loaf has a decent amount of fruit and a nice aroma, but it doesn’t stand out compared to Tremarie.
The texture is soft but chewy, with a pale colour that lacks richness. It’s not as airy or flavourful as I’d like. Overall, it’s a decent option, but I wish it had a darker colour and a fluffier, more luxurious feel.
Score: 6.5/10
3. Loison Classic Panettone
Price: $32 AUD / $21 USD
Loison’s packaging is subtle and elegant, with just a touch of the Italian flag—not too overwhelming. It has a tall, impressive shape and a nice aroma, though not quite as fragrant as Tremarie.
The texture is moist, airy, and packed with fruit. Its soft, light texture is appealing, and you can tell quality ingredients, like eggs and butter were used, even if the colour is slightly lighter.
Loison used to be my favourite panettone years ago, especially their artisan product that sold for $70 AUD. However, this newer commercial version doesn’t quite live up to those standards. It’s still a good introduction to semi-artisan panettone for anyone upgrading from cheaper options.
Score: 6.5/10
4. Bauli Panettone
Price: $30 AUD / $20 USD
Bauli is one of the most popular commercial brands, but sadly, it didn’t impress me. The packaging is simple but decent, and the size of the loaf is generous.
It smells better than Loison, but the texture is less impressive—moist yet compact, with a crumbly softness. The colour is pale, similar to Paluani’s, and the amount of fruit is ok. However, the overall flavour was too dry and not enjoyable.
It seems Bauli’s mass production may have compromised the quality. It’s not terrible, but there are better options – and I’m sad to say this as I grew up eating it back in Italy.
Score: 5/10
5. Motta
Price: $28 AUD / $18 USD
Motta is another classic brand I grew up with, but it didn’t live up to my memories. The packaging is similar to Bauli’s.
The smell is weaker compared to others, and the texture is dry, crumbly, and pale in colour. It doesn’t spring back well when pressed, and there’s not much fruit, the flavour fell flat for me.
Score: 5/10
6. Aldi
Price: $10 AUD / $7 USD
Aldi’s panettone is the budget pick of the group, and its packaging reflects that—it looks cheap and has plenty of Italian flag imagery. It’s also slightly smaller at 900g.
Surprisingly, the loaf has a pleasant smell, one of the most fragrant among all I tasted. It also had a solid feel with a nice bounce back when pressed. There’s a generous amount of chunky citrus fruit (which could be too gritty for some), and the colour is darker than Bauli and Motta, comparable to Loison, which was a very big but pleasant surprise!
While it’s not as airy as higher-end options, it’s moist and full of flavour, making it a surprisingly good panettone choice for the price. Aldi really delivers great value here!
Score: 7/10
Conclusion
When comparing Paluani and Loison, I’d say Paluani has better flavour. Its more compact texture works in its favour, especially compared to the taller, airier Loison. However, with only a $3 difference between Paluani and Tremarie, I’d go for Tremarie—it’s just superior in quality.
Bauli received a lower score, and while it’s very popular (and something I grew up eating), I was disappointed. At $30, it doesn’t come close to Tremarie for just $5 more. Similarly, Motta, another brand I loved as a child, didn’t meet my expectations. It no longer feels like the same product, and the quality just wasn’t what I was hoping for.
Aldi was the biggest surprise. I’ve heard people rave about it, and for good reason. It’s soft, moist, and has a great texture, though the chunky fruit may not be for everyone. At $10, it’s an incredible value. However, the packaging isn’t suitable for gifting, so it’s best for home use – or maybe repack it yourself?
The winner?
For me, Tremarie stands out as the best option. With 7% egg yolk from free-range chickens, sourdough fermentation, and clear details on the process labelled on the packaging, it stands out as the best option. If you’re on a budget, Aldi is a great choice. If you’re looking to gift or buy panettone that impresses on both taste and presentation, Tremarie is the way to go.
So, whether you’re gifting, sharing, or enjoying it yourself, now you know which panettone deserves a spot at your Christmas table! Are there any brands you wished I had tried? Let me know your favourite pick this year!
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