Armchair travelling with biscotti
There are several legends surrounding the humble biscotti. Some say the twice-baked good was used as sustenance during Roman legion invasions. Its extended shelf-life made it apt, you see. And speaking of long voyages, much like the Romans, Christopher Colombus would lug a load of biscotti in his ships.
When the Roman Empire eventually collapsed, and the Dark Ages ran its course, biscotti had a renaissance in the 1800s, thanks to lauded Italian baker, Antonio Mattei. Mattei's original bakery was inherited by the Pandolfini family in 1904, which they continue to run today as BISCOTTIFICIO ANTONIO MATTEI. You'll find it in the heart of Prato, Tuscany.
In 2018, the Padolfinis instituted the PICCOLO MUSEO BOTTEGA in the city centre to commemorate Mattei. Inside, there's a curation of photographs and documents highlighting both his and the family's story. But you'll never find the original biscotti recipe, as it remains guarded with fervour.
It seems there's been an infatuation with this Italian treat throughout history. So what gives? Why is the biscotti so special?
The word comes from the Latin 'bis', meaning 'twice', and 'coctum', meaning 'baked'. The first time it's baked, it's to prepare the dough. The second time is to dry out the biscotti, making it hard, crisp and unsusceptible to going stale.
Biscotti is often referred to by different names. For example, in Tuscany, where it originates, it's called cantucci. Cantucci is made using almonds and is habitually served with coffee or liqueur.
The thickness of a biscotti means you can dip it freely without the worry of soggy remains left at the bottom of the cup or glass.
Right now, a trip to Italy seems out of the question for us. But our next best option for enjoying authentic biscotti at home is AMARI. Based out of Tuscany, Amari is a small company that makes and sells traditional cantucci.
With ingredients like Piedmont hazelnuts, Carmignano fig jam, and chestnut flour, a bite into the biscuit transports you rapidly to central Italy. And since more lockdowns are potentially looming, what more could we ask for than the opportunity for such armchair travel.