NAPOLI'S OLDEST BAKERY

Last summer I had the amazing opportunity to visit Napoli for the first time, because of a close friends wedding taking place in the same fortnight. Of course this meant I took the opportunity to seek out Napoli's oldest bakery. Having not been to Italy before, I was pleasantly surprised by the small quaint nature of the bakeries out there. So popular and oozing a delicious smell from the early hours of the morning, they came a sense of calm that I couldn't find in similar bakeries in New York. After some research it became clear; I needed to follow breakfast traditions and taste a classic Sfogliatella.

"At the turn of the century, two Scaturchio brothers also opened a pastry shop on the central Via Toledo. They brought the tradition of almond paste from Calabria and, later, opened a chocolate factory, which had been popular with Neapolitans for at least three centuries." - Scaturchio

Once in Piazza San Domenico, I found my way to the door of Scaturchio and was greeted by a heavy waft of chocolate. Since 1905 they have been crafting delicious patisserie, hot drinks and more! No wonder the smell of chocolate was so rich and inspiring. I quickly spied my fresh treats through the windows and tiptoed my way inside. Oh how easy it would've been to fold at the sight of the cannoli's and chocolatey temptations, but my mission was clear and in reach! I'm sure all the psatries and chocolates in there taste amazing by the way, but you'll have to check for yourself, just to make sure ;)!

Once I got the sfogliatella and took my photos, I devoured it, flaking pieces and all. The creamy centre was light, but not too sweet which was a lovely surprise. As much as I love a sweet treat, if you're eating them all day, it's probably best for my health if they're not all super sweet right? I was amazed to find out that this delicious sweet treat was created by nuns! Check this out;

"Sfogliatella was invented in the 17th century by nuns at the Santa Rosa Monastery in Conca dei Marini on the Amalfi Coast, who created a pastry with ricotta, semolina, and dried fruit, naming it "Santa Rosa" after the saint and their monastery." - Gambrinus

But it didn't stop there, as we go on to find out. It then went on an evolutionary journey from Amalfi coast to Napoli which took around 200 years! I was so grateful to be able to taste such a piece of history and highly recommend you do so with a good coffee while you're there.

Happy historical eating! T x