Have you ever heard of this product? It’s typical of an area called Valtellina, originally from the city of Sondrio, also called Pan di fich or panettone valtellinese. The latter name refers to the origins, as the Bisciola in ancient times was the sweet dish of the festivals of poor people in Valtellina.
These facts seem to be part of the real story, while the legend is quite different.
It it said that towards the end of the eighteenth century, Napoleon, being in Valtellina, asked a local cook to make him taste a dessert that contained all the typical Valtellina ingredients.
Thus, this loaf full of dried fruit and honey was created.
We all know that this is just a story, even considering that it seems that Napoleon has never ever passed through Valtellina.
Nonetheless, the fact is that its main ingredients are just nuts, raisins, dried figs, butter and buckwheat flour.
A real heap of vitality, energy and delicacy at the same time!
By the year 2013, Bisciola has been included and protected by the Geographic Collective Mark (GCM) and, due to its uniqueness, it has been included in the list of Traditional Agri-food Products.