Place of origin | Mexico |
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Associated cuisine | Mexican cuisine |
Concha ( Spanish, 'shell'), plural conchas, is a traditional Mexican sweet bread roll ( pan dulce). Conchas get their name from their round shape and their striped, seashell-like appearance. A concha consists of two parts, a sweetened bread roll, and a crunchy topping (composed of flour, butter, and sugar). [1] With the most common crunchy topping flavors being chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. [2] Conchas are commonly found throughout Mexico (and its diaspora) in panaderias. They can now also be found in grocery stores and bakeries across the United States. [3]
The exact origin of the concha is unknown. Many believe that it dates back to the colonial period, and was introduced by French bakers who settled in Mexico. [1] [2] The first recorded recipe for the sweet bread is from 1820. [4] Through migration, the sweet bread has spread through Central, South, and North America. [1]
In recent years, conchas have gained visibility outside of Mexico. A "concha bun burger" won the James Beard Foundation's Blended Burger Project in 2016. [5] With many bakeries reimagining the concept of a concha, the sweet bread has also received a high amount of attention on social media. [6] Conchas have become a symbol of Mexican-American identity. The image can be found in art and merchandise all over.
Conchas can now be found packaged in grocery stores across Central, South, and North America. [3]
To make the bread portion of a concha, most recipes require: yeast, butter, flour, oil, sugar, evaporated milk, salt, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and eggs. To make the topping, one would need sugar, butter, flour, and vanilla extract. [7] [8]
To begin assembling a concha, the first step would be to roll the dough into balls. Then, grab the topping and place it on top of the dough. After placing it, cut grooves on the top of all the toppings. Then, bake. [7]