Churros: A Christmas Tradition

Mixes para la elaboración de churros

Those golden, crispy cylinders that evoke warmth and tradition are a true symbol of popular cuisine in many countries. This iconic treat, combining simplicity with an irresistible flavour, has a history and evolution that goes beyond its straightforward recipe.

Churros were introduced in Europe by Spanish shepherds, and their name derives from the spiral-shaped horns of the churra sheep, a common breed in Spain, whose resemblance to fried churros likely inspired the name.

To make the most authentic churro dough, all you need is flour, water, and salt. The mixture is fried in very hot oil and then sprinkled with sugar. This treat was ideal for outdoor preparation. Today, ingredients like butter, eggs, and sugar are often added to enhance the churros' fluffiness and tenderness.

Across the country, churros are an integral part of culinary culture, especially as a breakfast or snack, typically paired with a cup of hot chocolate in northern regions like Catalonia and Aragón, or with coffee and milk in Madrid or Andalusia. Their shapes also vary depending on the geographic area where they are made—ridged churros in the North and wheel-shaped churros in the South.

During the Christmas season, churros take on a special significance. The cold winter mornings and family celebrations encourage the tradition of enjoying freshly made churros with loved ones. It’s a practical tradition: their simple preparation and the basic ingredients—common in most pantries—combined with the pleasure of eating something warm on a chilly day, make them a delicious choice.

National consumption of churros remains steady year-round, but it peaks during holidays, festivals and ferias. It is estimated that millions of tons of churros, including traditional varieties and their larger ones, porras, are produced and consumed annually in the country.

While traditional churros continue to dominate as a culinary favourite, recent years have seen an innovative wave in this segment. New trends include chocolate-dipped churros and those filled with chocolate, pastry cream, or dulce de leche, as well as trendy flavours like matcha tea, red velvet, or vegan options. Home-use devices, such as small fryers designed for churro-making, have also become popular.

At Llopartec, we embrace Christmas traditions by offering churro mixes to deliver top-quality and efficient food solutions tailored to every sector in the food industry.