Traditional pastry in Barcelona

Noche de San Juan, revetlla de Sant Joan, Juhannus, fogueiras de São João, Midsummer night, Saint John’s Eve, Bonfire night, Jonsok, Sankthans, Midsommar, Jaanipäev…

The night of bonfires. The night of fire. Since ancient times the beginning of summer has been celebrated in many European countries with festivities on Saint John’s Eve.

In Barcelona we are still celebrating it even if the bonfires have gradually been disappearing and the firecrackers decreasing, family and friends still gather to celebrate St John’s Eve. Now, these gatherings are never, ever taking place without the cava and the coca de Sant Joan.

What is Coca?

The coca de Sant Joan (Saint John’s cake), the coca de recapte (typical Catalan savory cake similar to pizza) and the coca de llardons (sweet cake made with pork rinds and topped with pine nuts) are made with oil, flour, yeast, sugar and eggs (among the most common ingredients). Candied fruits are added to the coca de Sant Joan and give it a spongy look and the coca de recapte is prepared with roasted peppers and eggplants (escalivada).

The best Coca de Llardons in Barcelona

What about the coca de llardons? To me this is the best coca of all. It is a very surprising coca made with sugar, pine nuts and greaves. Crispy and addictive. Also enjoyed during carnivals this coca is timeless.

The coca de llardons is eaten on Saint John’s Eve dinner and breakfast of the following day. Delicious with cava (or champagne) and perfect with muscatel or malvasia wine, the coca de llardons is a marvel of the local gastronomy that is worth trying once or more times in one’s life. The most beautiful and crispiest (the secret in is the puff pastry) cocas in Barcelona are prepared in the great Natcha and the traditional Farga pastry shops.

However, for me, the best coca de llardons is prepared at Fru Panet, a small bakery on València street, 18; on top of being beautiful and crispy, their coca is the tastiest (more greaves, less sugar) I’ve ever eaten.

Another wonderful option is Forn Mistral that in addition to the classic San Juan Coca offer the best “coca de former”

I recommend you place your order in advance, then celebrate Saint John’s night with family or friends, on a terrace or on a balcony, and raise your class to the summer about to begin. Cheers!

Susana Fernandez Alonso, autodidact and experienced gastronome has been writing articles on cooking and alimentation for different reviews. She sums up her philosophy of life with few verbs : eat, drink, love, read (and write), go for walks and converse. She is the author, for example, of this article about Antonin Carême.