Pavesini Gli Originali: the iconic Italian egg biscuit
Pavesini Gli Originali by Pavesi are the thin, light egg biscuits that have been on Italian tables for generations. Made by Barilla at the historic Novara plant, each 200 g pack contains 8 resealable snack portions, with just 9 kcal per biscuit and 389 kcal per 100 g. Their simple recipe and dry, airy crumb make them perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack with tea or coffee, and as a versatile base for professional patisserie.
What Pavesini are
Pavesini are sweet egg biscuits with an elongated shape and a delicate, slightly toasted surface. They began as an evolution of the Biscottini di Novara, the traditional biscuit of Novara in Piedmont, and were reworked by Mario Pavesi in the early 1950s into a lighter, more digestible everyday biscuit. The dough is whipped to incorporate air, then baked thin so the biscuit stays crisp yet quickly absorbs liquids without turning to mush.
Origin and the producer
Mario Pavesi opened his bakery in Novara, Piedmont, in 1937, producing the local Biscottini di Novara. From that craft he developed the Pavesini, which became one of the most recognisable Italian biscuits. The Pavesi brand joined the Barilla family in 1994; today the Pavesini are still produced at the Novara plant, one of the group's main biscuit factories. The full name is Pavesini Gli Originali, distinguishing the original recipe from later flavoured variants.
Sensory profile
Light golden colour, fine and uniform crumb, clean aroma of egg and baked dough with a subtle hint of caramelised sugar. The texture is crisp and friable when dry, becoming soft and creamy within seconds of contact with coffee, milk or liqueur. The flavour is delicate and not overly sweet, which makes Pavesini easy to pair without overpowering creams and fillings.
Technical specifications
Each pack weighs 200 g and holds 8 individual snack portions. Ingredients: sugar, wheat flour, fresh eggs (23.5%), raising agents (ammonium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate), caramelised sugar, flavouring. Allergens: contains gluten and eggs; may contain traces of milk, mustard, tree nuts, sesame and soy. Nutritional values per 100 g: energy 1649 kJ / 389 kcal, fat 2.5 g (of which saturates 0.8 g), carbohydrate 83 g (of which sugars 50 g), fibre 2.5 g, protein 7 g, salt 0.3 g. Store in a cool, dry place away from heat and light.
Professional uses in the kitchen
Tiramisu: Pavesini are the fine, light alternative to ladyfingers. Dip them briefly in cold espresso (sweetened to taste) and layer them with a mascarpone cream made from 500 g mascarpone, 4 egg yolks, 80 g sugar and 4 whipped egg whites for a tray of about 8 portions; one 200 g pack covers two standard layers. Zuppa inglese: soak in alchermes and alternate with vanilla and chocolate custard. Charlotte and spoon desserts: line moulds for bavarese and semifreddo. Cheesecake base: crush and bind with melted butter for a lighter base than digestive biscuits. They also serve simply alongside creams, gelato, zabaione and fresh fruit.
Pairings
Pavesini pair naturally with mascarpone, whipping cream, espresso and dessert wines such as Vin Santo or Marsala. For service, combine them with a quality mascarpone, a strong espresso blend and fresh whipping cream to build a classic tiramisu, or serve them with chocolate spreads and gelato for quick desserts.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not over-soak Pavesini in coffee: a one-second dip is enough, as the thin biscuit absorbs very fast and longer soaking makes the dessert watery. Do not assemble tiramisu too far ahead with under-whipped mascarpone, or the layers will collapse. Keep the pack sealed: once opened, the biscuit picks up humidity and loses its characteristic snap within a couple of days.
Who it is for
Pavesini Gli Originali are aimed at pastry labs, restaurants, gelato shops, hotels, bars and cafés that want a reliable, recognisable biscuit for tiramisu and spoon desserts, as well as Italian grocery stores and private customers looking for the authentic product they know from home.
Delivery and logistics
B2B and B2C delivery throughout Switzerland from the LAPA warehouse in Embrach (Zurich). As an ambient dry product, Pavesini ship without a cold chain on full pallets and standard parcels. Direct distribution across Zurich, Winterthur, Uster, Schaffhausen, St. Gallen, Aargau, Lucerne, Bern and Basel; for Ticino (Lugano, Bellinzona, Locarno), French-speaking Switzerland (Geneva, Lausanne, Fribourg), Valais (Sion, Martigny) and Graubünden (Chur, Davos) shipping within 24-48 hours via partner couriers (Swiss Post PostPac, Planzer, Galliker). Ideal for stock build-up by restaurants, pizzerias, hotels, pastry labs, gelato shops, Italian grocery stores and private customers.
