Learn the meaning of Pan de Muerto

Are you a super fan of Pan de Muerto? Do you count the weeks until you can eat the first bread of the season? Have you tried all its versions: with sugar, sesame, plain, filled with cream? Well, as strange as it may seem, the origin of Pan de Muerto is very different from what you imagine. Before you take the next bite of your Pan de Muerto, we invite you to learn the true meaning of this already traditional Mexican pastry. A bread behind a ritual It is said that when the Spaniards arrived in the territory that is now Mexico, they were shocked by the rituals that the indigenous people performed involving human sacrifices. In their eagerness to modify the customs of Mesoamerican cultures, they began to prepare a bread in the shape of a heart. The idea was that this sugar-coated bun would replace the heart of the maidens who were usually sacrificed. In this way, they gradually eliminated the sacrifices while increasing the consumption of the bread. A traditional food with European ingredients It is noteworthy that the ingredients commonly used in the preparation of Pan de Muerto were brought by the Spaniards during the Conquest. Pre-Hispanic cultures were unaware of the use of dairy products, wheat, yeast, orange, or orange blossom; however, the combination of these ingredients became one of the representative foods of one of the most important celebrations in our country. A bread with meaning The shape of Pan de Muerto is not a coincidence. According to some historians, the circular shape represents the cycle of life and death. For the other elements of the bread, there are various explanations. Some people believe that the little rolls represent the bones of the dead and the small ball at the top is the skull. Others think that these 4 pieces refer to the cardinal points, which in turn are dedicated to pre-Hispanic gods, and the top part is the heart. Now that you know what Pan de Muerto means, we assure you that you will enjoy it even more not only for its delicious flavor but also for its interesting history. Recipes for Pan de Muerto: Typical Mexican Pan de Muerto Egg Yolk Pan de Muerto Oaxacan Pan de Muerto Traditional Pan de Muerto Sources: Info.aserca.gob.mx Sdpnoticias.com Vanguardia.com.mx