Ferrarese Ricciola

Ricciola is a small daily habit that tells the story of Ferrara and its traditions.

Visitors can not miss the famous Ricciola, or Ricciolina, present in every bakery in town. Freshly baked, it unleashes a warm scent that makes every moment of the day special. For breakfast or as a snack, it conquers every palate. Students have it as a break in between classes, others pair it with a cappuccino or a glass of wine.

Its origins are still partially unknown: some say it reminds of the hair of a Renaissance lady or of the Coppia bread, others say it is round like the city walls. It is most likely a product of the 20th century, first made in bakeries from useless dough. The first version, made of bread dough, was decorated with egg yolk and salt.

With time the recipe evolved and is now made of savory pastry dough, richer and tastier, made for bars and bakeries. Today the Ferrarese Ricciola is a symbol of the city that shows signs of tradition, resourcefulness and everyday life.