Goan Breads: Top 10 Varieties To Try

Goan cuisine is a delicious fusion of Portuguese and Indian flavours influenced by the region's history and geography. Located on the western coast of India, Goa was a Portuguese colony for over 450 years, and this influence is apparent in the local cuisine. The food is distinguished by the use of coconut, seafood, and a variety of spices, making it one of India's most distinctive and flavourful cuisines.

One of the most popular dishes in Goan cuisine is fish curry, which is made with coconut milk, tamarind, and a range of spices. The spicy and tangy flavours of this dish are a delight to the taste buds, and it is typically served with rice. Another popular seafood dish is prawn curry, which is like fish curry but made with prawns instead of fish. Prawn balchao is also a famous Goan dish, which is a spicy and tangy pickle made with prawns, vinegar, and a range of spices. Bread is also an important part of Goan cuisine, and the state offers a wide variety of bread that is unique to the region.

Pao 

Introduced during the Portuguese colonial era, pao is now an integral part of Goan cuisine. Made with flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and water, the bread has a soft texture and is ideal for making sandwiches. Pao is traditionally baked in a wood-fired oven and sold in bakeries across Goa. It is often eaten with tea or coffee in the morning and served with Goan curries during lunch or dinner.

Poie  

This circular, slightly flattened bread is made with wheat flour and palm toddy, a fermented sap from palm trees that imparts a distinct tangy flavour and chewy texture. Poie is typically served with savoury curries or sweetened with coconut and jaggery. While modern bakeries have started using yeast instead of toddy, the authentic preparation of poie remains an important cultural tradition in Goa.

Oondhe or Unndo

Made from a mixture of rice flour, wheat flour, and coconut, unde is a fluffy, round bread that is typically eaten as a snack or with tea. Because of the use of coconut in the recipe, the bread has a distinct sweet and nutty flavour. Unde is a popular snack in Goa and can be found in many local bakeries and cafes.

Kakon  

It is a traditional bread that is made using a mixture of wheat flour, coconut milk, and yeast. Also known as bangle bread, the dough is shaped like bangles and baked until golden brown. The soft texture and sweet flavour of kakon are derived from the use of coconut milk. It is often enjoyed with tea or coffee and is a popular breakfast item in Goa. Kakon can be found in many local bakeries and is a must-try for visitors to the region.

Katre

This one-of-a-kind bread is made with a combination of wheat and rice flour and baked on a clay tava, giving it a distinct texture and flavour. Katre is typically enjoyed with a cup of chai or as a snack with a spicy Goan curry. Many local bakeries in Goa still make this bread, and it remains a popular choice among locals and tourists alike.

Poiachi Bhakri  

This bread, made with wheat flour and coconut, has a distinct Goan texture and flavour. The dough is flattened and cooked on a tava, giving it a crispy exterior and soft interior. It is often served with a variety of spicy curries or as a snack with tea. Poiachi Bhakri is a delicious and filling bread that is a must-try for anyone visiting Goa.

Sannas  

Sannas is a type of fluffy and airy bread made with a mixture of rice flour and coconut milk. This bread is fermented overnight with yeast, giving it a distinct tangy flavour. Sannas are a popular breakfast item in Goa and are often served with spicy seafood and meat curries or chutneys. It can also be eaten as a snack or a light meal, making it a versatile and tasty dish. 

Kankon  

Kankon is a traditional bread that is made with wheat flour, semolina, sugar, coconut, and yeast. This sweet bread is typically served during special occasions and festivals such as Christmas and Easter. Kankon has a soft texture and a subtle coconut flavour, making it a popular snack among locals and tourists alike. If you're ever in Goa, be sure to try this delicious and unique bread as a snack with tea or coffee! 

Poi

Poi is made from wheat flour and yeast. It is a popular accompaniment to a variety of savoury dishes such as fish curry, pork vindaloo, and sorpotel. Poi has a soft and spongy texture and is usually served warm. It is a staple in Goan cuisine and is found in almost every restaurant and household.

Bol

Goan sweet buns, also known as "bol," are a type of sweet bread that is popular in the Indian state of Goa. They are often served as a breakfast or snack and made with a combination of all-purpose flour, sugar, yeast, eggs, milk, and butter. The dough is flavoured with cardamom and nutmeg, giving the buns their distinct sweet and spicy taste.

In conclusion, Goan bread is a unique and essential part of Goan cuisine. From soft and fluffy pao to crispy and crunchy kakon, there is a wide variety of bread to choose from. These top ten Goan breads offer a taste of the varied flavours and tastes of India's beautiful coastal state.