The Catalan Pastry Guild already notices the evolution of the castanada: “La juventud makes Halloween, but with panellets”

Albert Hernández /Barcelona – The Barcelona Pastry Guild expects to maintain sales of panels with at least 250 tons and highlights the coexistence of this campaign with the celebration of the imported Halloween party. The president of the entity, Antoni Bellart, points out in statements to ACN that this tendency is increasingly perceived and can become positive. “The young ones makes Halloween, but with panellets”, he says, predicting that in the end the two celebrations will be “something joint”. Bellart also points out that, again, these sweets can be eaten “on the beach” due to the good temperatures, but maintains that the heat “does not affect sales”.

The pastry chef points out that the profit margin is shrinking year after year and that prices have not risen this campaign, despite high inflation, which has increased the cost of sugar and eggs.

However, the president of the Barcelona Pastry Guild says that “fortunately, the pinion has gone down” and this has led to the fact that the sales prices have not been touched.

Bellart admits that not touching the prices could seem “counterproductive” from a business point of view, but he points out that the objective is “to sell more, with more excitement and for people to have a good time”. “In the end, the benefit is here,” he says.

Bellart points out that the pine nut panellet is still “the king”, but also the coffee, almond and coconut panellet. In addition, “every year new ones are created or recovered”. For example, Bellart gives examples of the musician’s panels, lemon and pistachio and those of green tea, rum, cherry, tiramisu and chocolate, among others.

The president of the Guild explains that the consumption of this product has been reduced in households. “They used to eat 20 or 25 panels, and today they do 3 or 4 per person,” he says. Bellart understands this behavior in a context of inflation, but considers that despite everything, “this day enjoys good health”.

Chestnut vs. Halloween

Bellart insists that the castanada will continue to be celebrated for many years, despite the advent of Halloween. “The youth has gotten used to celebrating it, but with panels, chestnuts and sweet potatoes, which is our tradition, and as long as it’s like that, it’s good,” he concluded.