This is the final week of Season 6 of Sourdough Society: The World Cup Series.

Over the past six weeks, we've baked our way across the globe—from the savory onion-topped Fugazza of Argentina to Portugal's famous Pastel de Nata, Japan's pillowy Shokupan, Türkiye's buttery Baklava, and Morocco's aromatic Ras el Hanout Khobz.

For our final stop, we're heading to Mexico for one of the country's most beloved bakery staples: Concha.

Found in nearly every panadería (Mexican bakery), the concha is more than just a sweet bread—it's part of everyday life. Whether enjoyed alongside a morning coffee, picked up on the way home from work, or shared with family on the weekend, it's a pastry that has brought people together for generations.

We're excited to finish this journey with a bake that's colorful, comforting, and full of joy.

Week 6: Concha — Mexico

Named after the Spanish word for "shell," the concha gets its name from the signature scored topping that resembles a seashell. Underneath that crisp topping is a soft, enriched bread that's lightly sweet, fluffy, and perfect with a cup of coffee or tea.

For our Voyageurs version, we created two flavors inspired by classic and playful favorites.

🍫 Chocolate features a rich cocoa cookie topping with mini chocolate chips tucked inside the bread.

🍓 Strawberry is made with real strawberry powder in the topping, giving it a naturally fruity flavor and beautiful pink color.

The contrast between the crisp cookie topping and the soft bread underneath is what makes a concha so unforgettable—and one of Mexico's most iconic pastries.

Pastry-Making Insight

One of the defining characteristics of a concha is its two-part construction.

First, we prepare an enriched dough that's soft, buttery, and lightly sweet. After dividing and shaping each bun, we allow the dough to proof until it's light and airy.

While the dough is rising, we prepare the signature cookie topping. For our Chocolate Concha, we make a cocoa cookie dough and fold in mini chocolate chips. For our Strawberry Concha, we use real strawberry powder to create a naturally fruity topping with its signature pink hue.

Each topping is carefully pressed onto the proofed dough before being scored with the traditional shell pattern. As the conchas bake, the topping becomes delicately crisp while the bread stays soft and pillowy inside.

It's that contrast of textures—crisp on top, tender underneath—that has made conchas a favorite throughout Mexico for generations.

5 Fun Facts About Mexico

🇲🇽 1. Chocolate has its roots in Mexico.
The ancient Olmec, Maya, and Aztec civilizations were among the first to cultivate cacao, enjoying it as a ceremonial drink thousands of years before chocolate became a dessert.

🌮 2. Mexican cuisine is recognized by UNESCO.
Traditional Mexican cuisine is considered an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for its rich history and cultural importance.

🌵 3. Mexico is home to more than 60 species of cacti.
Its diverse landscapes range from deserts and tropical beaches to mountains, forests, and volcanoes.

🎉 4. Día de los Muertos is a celebration of life.
Rather than a day of mourning, the holiday honors loved ones through colorful altars, flowers, music, food, and family gatherings.

🥖 5. Panaderías are an important part of daily life.
Neighborhood bakeries are found throughout Mexico, offering dozens of varieties of fresh breads and pastries every day, with conchas being one of the most popular.