'These are the biscuits that I long to eat, soaked in wine to fortify the stomach … composed of a little flour, an egg yolk and a lot of sugar’ ~ Casanova

Magical Venice, home of 120 islands, 170 canals, 430 bridges and 1600 years of history - an amazing feat since it stands on wooden poles planted in the seabed. The first houses were huts built over a body of water and supported by wood driven into the muddy ground with walls made of woven canes, reeds and plastered with mud.

The name Burano is from Porta Boreana, the northern door of the city. Burano is is an island in the Venetian lagoon and birthplace of Casanova. Its bright houses of many different colours line the miniature canals where one finds elderly ladies embroidering their famous lace on their tombolos (lace pillows). The houses are traditionally painted different colours so that the fishermen can see them from a long distance and find their way home in the fog.

Esse Buranei translates to essi from Burano, esse referring to the ‘S’ shape of the biscuits and Buranei from the island of Burano. Buranelli is also used to refer to these biscuits and when shaped in the form of rings, Bussolà. They were traditionally made by the fishwives for their husbands to take to sea as they are long lasting and could be dipped in sweet wine. Originally, they were ring shaped and cooked until crisp in order that they could be stored on a rope aboard ships and would last for weeks at sea. #CA2025