| Keyword |
Description |
| Tradition |
A custom passed down from older generations, like eating pan de muerto on special days |
| Artisan |
Someone who makes bread by hand with care and skill, not in big factories |
| Ritual |
Special actions or ceremonies people do together, like celebrating Day of the Dead with pan de muerto |
Pan de muerto is a fluffy, sweet bread that is usually eaten in Mexico on the Day of the Dead, November 1 and 2. It has sugar on top and is decorated with pieces shaped like bones so people remember loved ones who have died. Today, you can find pan de muerto in bakeries and supermarkets any time of year, not just in November, which makes some people ask if this changes its meaning or makes it less special.
The tradition of pan de muerto started more than 500 years ago during the Spanish conquest. Spaniards replaced old rituals with recipes like this bread and made it a symbol in Mexican celebrations. Now, there are many flavors, such as chocolate, matcha, and even pistachio, but some people believe that buying it all year round or in supermarkets alters the bread's taste and makes it less authentic. Chefs and bread artisans say that important ingredients, such as orange blossom, are often omitted in cheaper versions, and that homemade or artisanal pan de muerto is more authentic, but also harder to find.
Many Mexicans still enjoy eating pan de muerto with family, even if it’s not November. Sharing this special bread can make happy memories, whether you eat it for Day of the Dead or just for dessert. Even if traditions change, what matters most is the feeling of being together and celebrating the people we love.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English |
Spanish |
| Supermarket |
Supermercado |
| Mexican celebration |
Celebración mexicana |
| Memories |
Memorias |
Time to discuss
- Why do people like pan de muerto all year?
- Does selling the bread in supermarkets change its value?
- Can traditions change and still be important?
Let's write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph:
- Write about a food that is special to your family and how you celebrate with it.
- Do you think traditions should always stay the same? Why or why not?
