Have you heard of Day of the Dead? It is a wonderful holiday celebrated in Mexico starting October 31st and ending November 2nd. It is a very colorful holiday that celebrates life and death.
Both of our bakery owners are from Mexico and want to share a little of their culture and traditions with you all. Keep on reading to see how we are preparing for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)!
Papel Picado
…or pierced paper is a Mexican folk art. The authentic papel picado is made of tissue paper and then artisans perforate the paper with hammer and chisel to create the elaborate designs.
Significance of Papel Picado
This paper is not exclusively used for Day of the Dead. It can be used to celebrate other festivities and religious holidays but is most commonly seen around this time of year. For Day of the Dead the significance of this paper takes on a different meaning. The hanging papel picado represents the wind and the fragility of life.
Pan de Muerto
…or bread of the dead is a type of pastry commonly found this time of year. It is a sweet bread made with anise seeds. Our pan de muerto has anise seeds and orange blossom as well. The top of the bread is decorated with dough skulls and bones and arranged in a circle to represent the circle of life. If you have never tried pan de muerto stop by the bakery to try some. We will begin selling it Saturday, October 20th!
Want more info on Dia de los Muertos?
Check out this National Geographic article on the top 10 things to know about the Day of the Dead!