Treasures of Colombia: Pandebono (Colombian Street Food)

One of my favorite snacks to eat in the mornings after my first class is called Pan de Bono / Pandebono.

The Pandebono is originally from the Cauca Valley (Valle del Cauca). However, it is prepared all over Colombia.

treasures of colombia with stacey ann smith

Treasures of Colombia: Pandebono (Colombian Street Food)

BY: STACEY-ANN SMITH

The story behind this bread is that years ago the sugar cane farmers received vouchers (bono) as part of their wages, which they, in turn, exchanged for bread (pan) – hence the name Pan de Bono which literally translates to Voucher Bread.

The Pandebono is crusty on the outside but gooey on the inside; the shape can be round or elongated. You can get this special bread stuffed with only cheese or with a combination of guava jam (bocadillo) and cheese that just blows your taste buds away!

In my opinion, it is best eaten hot…right out of the oven. When you buy Pandebono make sure that you have a hot beverage whether coffee or hot chocolate which makes a great combination.

Pandebono – Cheese Bread

The Pandebono is mostly eaten in the mornings however; it is also a good choice at staff meetings and class parties. It can be found in almost every bakery and it is always displayed on large trays at the front doors of the bakeries. It is very economical you can get two for 3000 Colombian pesos (COP) – $120 Jamaican dollars (JMD).

You MUST try this cheese bread whenever you visit Colombia.

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About the writer:

Stacey Ann Smith is from Kingston, Jamaica. She is an alumna of Camperdown High School and she graduated from The Shortwood Teachers’ College having earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Modern Languages, Spanish and French. Presently, Stacey is an English teacher at a University in Colombia. She describes herself as a vivacious and loving person who also has a passion for traveling, taking pictures, her son Nicholas and Ashley, her adorable feline.