Join us for a tour of the sweet bread of Mexico, Latin and South America as we take a new pastry each week to discuss and share history, our favorites, and other fun facts! Call store for availability.
An interesting combination of puff pastry and pound cake, the ojo de pancha is said to have originated from a Chinese baker in 19th century. In its origins, and many regions of Mexico, the name given to this pan dulce is ‘ojo de buey’ – eye of the ox, for its similarity to the large animal which inspired the baker.
A 2010 book “The Chinese in Mexico” details the little known history of the Chinese in Mexico, which primarily started during the late 19th century when the Chinese were trying to gain access to the US (who had stopped Chinese immigration in 1882). In the decades that followed many Chinese families and workers prospered, but there were also times of persecution.
But who then is Pancha? No one seems to exactly know! Pancha however, is a nickname for Francisca (or Pancho, for Francisco). Likely in a region where a baker named Francisca caught wind of the creation and popularized it!
