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Coca for Sant Joan 2026: Tradition Holds as Pastry Chefs Reinvent the Classic

Strong demand for the brioche coca keeps the candied‑fruit and pine‑nut version central even as limited‑edition, award‑winning and collaborative cocas broaden the festival's culinary scene.

Overview

  • Bakeries have ramped up production ahead of Sant Joan on Tuesday, June 23, and the Gremi de Pastisseria forecasts a strong season with the traditional brioche coca with candied fruit and pine nuts still the best‑seller.
  • A medium six‑portion coca is selling for about €20 this season as shops try to absorb rising input costs, with pine nuts singled out as a key price pressure.
  • Artisan patisseries are rolling out creative, short‑run cocas for 2026, including Hofmann’s prizewinning pistachio piece, Oriol Carrió’s limited 'coca selvática', and collaborations such as Jon Cake x Oriol Carrió.
  • Producers note that candied fruit has ancient preservation roots and that about 90% of shops buy it pre‑made, with quality varying across suppliers and some cheaper 'melon' pieces actually made from colored pumpkin.
  • The coca is moving beyond the family table into tourism and events through hotel menus, rooftop pop‑ups and heladerías, a shift that is boosting demand for novel formats and seasonal preorders.