San Biagio Cake DE.C.O.

The Torta di San Biagio di Cavriana is a traditional dessert from the Province of Mantua, with an almond and chocolate flavour. The cake is circular in shape. The dough, which is not leavened, is characterized by a crumbly consistency. On the surface, the strips obtained from the leftover dough used to line the cake pan create diamond shapes under which the brown color of the filling can be recognised.

The Torta di San Biagio is the typical dessert of this holiday. Legend has it that the recipe is very ancient and that the almond-based cake originally had a diameter of over three meters. This was then cut and offered to the public gathered in Piazza Castello. Today the feast of the Patron Saint is characterized not only by the preparation of the traditional dessert named after him, but also by a rather particular event: Dulcissima, a review of typical traditional desserts, where the excellence of the confectionery culture of all of northern Italy meets.
On February 3rd, an ancient rite takes place in our municipality, located in the magnificent Morainic Hills: the blessing of the throat imparted in church by the priest using two candles crossed under the chin.
On 4 February 2011, the first Municipal Designation of Origin (DE.C.O.) of the Province of Mantua, the Torta di San Biagio, was officially presented in Cavriana by the Mayor, Mario Benhur Tondini.