On Easter Sunday we’ll be eating Mouna. It sounds like we’re going to eat a prized hen or even a little lamb we’ve been fattening up, doesn’t it? It’s such a pretty name. But no, we’ll be eating a scrummy type of brioche (sweet bread) made specially for Easter and found mainly in the south. Mouna the Easter brioche.
Origins of Mouna Easter Brioche
Mouna comes from Pied-Noir cuisine in Algeria; the Pieds-Noirs being both French nationals of Algerian origin and more commonly French expatriates who lived in North Africa until independence in the late fifties and early 1960s. It is shaped in a dome or crown, delicately flavoured with orange flower water, or lemon peel, and aniseed and traditionally baked at home by the mother and children. It should not be bought, but given and shared on Easter Sunday with leftovers eaten on Easter Monday. It was introduced into the south of France in the 1960s with the repatriation of the Pieds-Noirs.
I had never heard of Mouna, even after 10 years of living in the Paris area, until I moved south but now I’ve discovered it, I can’t get enough of it. It’s fluffy, sweet (but not too sweet) and melt-in-the-mouth light with a little crunch in the crust. But I have to admit to buying it. I’d love to say I bake it myself but the boulangeries around here are just so good that honestly, why would I try and compete? I’m supporting local commerce! I’ve also written about Easter in France and chocolate at Easter if you’re interested. Just click on the brown highlighted links.
Happy Easter everyone, joyeuses pâques.
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Well you said it Phoebe. I am coming to lou messugo this easter (2015) so I expect to “pig out” on mouna
This sounds (and looks) absolutely delicious. I want one! :):D
I have to say that despite living in the south of France for 12 years I’d never heard of this! But then I didn’t know many Pieds Noirs, which might explain it. I love French brioche though and this is making my mouth water for it and French boulangeries….
#TastyTuesdays
It really is Muza-chan. Thanks for commenting here again. 🙂
My only talent here is for eating not creating!! 😉
What’s your traditional bun Marcia? I hope you write about it next week in #FoodieTuesday
Looks delicious 🙂
Oh wow, stunning, you are so talented! Thanks for linking up to #Tastytuesdays
You just reminded me that this is Easter week! Normally, I’d be baking the traditional bun we eat for Easter but I’m away. I’d love to try Mouna. It’s interesting that it hasn’t made its way to Paris yet, especially since you can buy it at the bakery now. Sounds delicious.
Joyeuses Pâques, Phoebe and thanks for linking up this week!
I’m with you there Rosie; I love hot x buns too, slurp!!!
Hi Debbie, where di you eat it? I’d be interested to hear. Thanks for your wishes!
It would be a shame not to eat the best wouldn’t it? And my baking isn’t my forté!! Thanks for popping by Delia. Appreciated as always.
I agree about the shame it’s only for easter bit, but I do love a good hot x bun too . Thanks for commenting Alison.
Thanks for commenting Meire, I’m delighted you’ve learnt something new through my blog 🙂
You’re so good Corinna. I rarely avoid pigging out!
Thanks for commenting Sharon. Please do come here next Easter!!! You’d be very welcome 🙂
Come back next Easter and we’ll pig out on it Catherine! Easter Eggs are very expensive here, you’re absolutely right.
Yummy. I have managed to resist hot cross buns and chocolate this easter so perhaps can pig out next year!
It really looks delicious, and it is always interesting the story behind the traditions! Thank you for your post, I learned a little bit more about France!
It sounds like it’s going to taste divine! At least I now know where to plan my next Easter holiday. 🙂
Delicious! I have had this before, in Europe. Have a Happy Easter. 🙂
Drool …. and I’m afraid I beg to differ with you Alison. I love a decent (not use of word decent) Hot Cross Bun …. with far too much butter!
I have never heard of it before. Thank you for telling me about it. I shall have. To make sure I stay at Lou messugo at Easter time. I only remember very expensive Easter eggs. Happy Easter to you too.
Sounds wonderful, much better than our hot cross buns. Shame they only make it for Easter!
It looks delicious, Phoebe! And I totally understand that you cannot help it but buy it with so many wonderful places where you can get it 🙂