Thinking about winter, beyond falling into all the imaginary of Christmas, involves dreaming of seasonal sweets. Mantecados, polvorones, roscones and other delicacies come together in the coming months and that in Estepa know it well. Cradle of all the Christmas elaborations that one can imagine, its manufacturers are already starting all the preparations for the season. That’s right, “Mantecados de Estepa” and “Polvorones de Estepa” are stocking up on raw materials with an eye on the coming weeks.
It is expected to reach full employment throughout the autumn months, taking into account that in 2021 the pre-pandemic data were achieved and that in 2022 the season started around this time. Thus, the 18 companies that are part of the Regulatory Council of the Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) Mantecados and Polvorones de Estepa, are already putting all the machinery ready.
Both Christmas products, the mantecado and polvorón, dispense in Estepa direct employment to 2,000 people. A job that, on the other hand, performed mostly by women.
Estepa, an autumn and Christmas destination
The 2021 campaign started around September 15 and its mantecados and polvorones were then exported to various Latin American countries, although most of the production is intended to supply the domestic and European market. In 2022 the same was done around September 6 and in 2023 the Sevillian town starts its season this same week.
Travel to Estepa to get a handful of boxes of mantecados or other viands? The answer is definitely yes. This sweet enclave has become a reference in recent years, not necessarily at Christmas time.
Taste handmade delicacies in any of its stores and factories, visit the Chocolate City or the Museum of Mantecado, or take a heritage tour. Estepa has no shortage of charms or activities to promote its budding tourism.