Have you heard of Goa’s Paowala also called Poder ?

I’m sure you will come to know him when you visit Goa or are a Goan resident.

He is the man who delivers bread every morning at your doorstep .

Pao is the konkani word which means ‘bread’ in engish . It’s the local language in Goa. Portuguese, English, Marathi and even Hindi is spoken

There is a typical characteristic of this man. He makes his presence felt with a horn on his cycle

. At the rear of his cycle he has a huge basket with a variety of breads .

I love the Poiee the best .

The others are

Katriche Pao : with a scissor cut shape

Paozine: mini stuffed round roll ( with a

sausage filling ) also called Choris Pao.

Unde : hard crusted bread and soft inside

Pao: a soft square of bread

Kankon : bangle shaped bread

The Poiee is a whole wheat bread with a large round shape and hollow inside . It has a little bran at the top

Today the Paowala even comes on a motorcycle. Generally the round basket has a blue cover .

I’ve waited anxiously for the sound of his horn to collect the Poiee or the standard Pao if I’m late for the Poiee.

The Poiee is so famous that one can order it at some restaurants .

However all POIES are not authentic. Some don’t have the typical round and hollow shape.

Besides seeing the real Paowala , I happened to see a huge model of one at Chimbel . It was made for an event, and literally out-standing . Since it was being de-constructed the model was headless.

If you have lived in Mumbai ( formerly known as Bombay) then you may have heard of the ‘Maka Pao’ . Without any offence to anyone , a Goan was jokingly called a Maka Pao which simply means Maka Pao Zai translated in English as ‘I want bread’. I’m one , for your information. …and a proud Goan😉