There is nothing I like more than walking through old Italian towns, exploring for treasures in the wonderful streets.
I have been to Prato (near Florence) many times but did not know that the famous biscuits, cantucci, came from there. Cantucci are also known as biscotti. I set out to find the original place where cantucci were made. It was not difficult, it is on one of Prato’s main streets.
Antonio Mattei, creator of the original recipe, opened his biscuit factory in 1858. Since 1904 the Pandolfini has carried on the tradition with the same passion and creativity of its founder.
They have branched out a bit and make other biscuits besides cantucci, freshly baked brioche loaf, glacé cherry loaf, Mantovana cake, savoiardi biscuits and more.
I bought some traditional cantucci and some Ernesto’s biscuits, the recipe dedicated to Ernesto Pandolfini.
Prato is a lovely town to visit even if you don’t love cantucci. There are fabulous buildings in the narrow streets, great places to eat and excellent shops. The town is lively and a fun place to wander.
Part of the old wall surrounding Prato still stands.
Here are posts I have written about Prato, with more information on the town, in the past.
You will find the cantucci shop in Via Rocasoli 20, Prato.
There is also a shop in Florence, in Via Porta Rossa 76R. In 2018, to celebrate the biscuit factory’s 160th anniversary, the Pandolfini family opened the small museum shop. You can sample the delicious products and see photos and documents from the original business.