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The origins of the famous croissant.
When mentioningcroissantWhen thinking of croissants, one immediately thinks of France; however, the truth is that croissants were not invented by the French but were first made in Austria.
In 1686, during the war between Turkey and Austria, one night a baker heard strange noises underground and immediately alerted the army. Thanks to this, Austrian soldiers were able to stop the enemy from digging tunnels to advance into Vienna, ultimately leading to Austria's victory. When asked what reward he wished for, the baker, without hesitation, replied that he only wanted to bake cakes for the soldiers.
When people think of croissants, they immediately think of France; however, the truth is that croissants were not invented by the French but were first made in Austria.
The shape of the pastry resembled a crescent moon, also serving as a reminder to the Turkish army of Austria's victory. This is the image that later emerged from croissants.
Since its creation, the croissant has quickly captured the hearts of most Austrians and become an indispensable favorite breakfast item. The incredibly simple ingredients for a croissant—flour, butter, yeast, salt, and milk—must achieve the perfect texture for a light and airy crust.
The croissant was originally called kipfel (crescent moon) and was later renamed croissant.
The croissant was originally called kipfel (crescent moon) and was later renamed croissant in 1770 when 15-year-old Austrian princess Marie Antoinette married the French crown prince, who would later become King Louis XVI.
Parisian bakers created kipfel to honor the princess. From then on, the pastry was elevated to a higher status and became a part of elegant French parties, with variations in its design. Instead of the hollow filling, it now features fillings such as raisins, jam, chocolate, or buttercream.
The croissant's horn shape symbolizes abundance and prosperity.
The croissant's horn-like shape symbolizes abundance and prosperity. It's often enjoyed in the morning, representing an energetic and joyful start to the day.
The subtle nuances in the culture of enjoying croissants.
The French often choose to buy croissants from local bakeries (boulangeries) early in the morning to get the freshest, most delicious ones. The French place great emphasis on the quality and flavor of the ingredients. A good croissant must be made with high-quality butter and quality flour. A good croissant will have a golden, crispy crust, not soft or soggy. It should have a light, buttery aroma, not a rancid or fishy smell. The size of the croissant depends on preference, but a medium-sized croissant is easier to eat.
The French often choose to buy croissants at local bakeries (boulangerie) early in the morning.
Croissant is best enjoyed hot. The French pay close attention to how they reheat the pastry to maintain its crispness and the delicious flavor of the inside. They often reheat the pastry in an oven or microwave for a few minutes to make the crust even crispier.
Enjoying croissants is a refined aspect of French culture. They often take time to relax and savor the pastry in the morning or afternoon. The French typically enjoy a simple croissant with a cup of coffee or hot tea. It can be served with fruit jam, honey, whipped cream, or chocolate, depending on preference. When eating, the French usually tear the croissant into small pieces with their hands and savor it slowly to fully appreciate the flavor.
Croissant served with whipped cream and strawberries.
Furthermore, the French have many different ways to enjoy croissants. You can sandwich croissants with cold cuts, cheese, and vegetables, or make croissants in various fillings such as grilled meat, salad, or fried eggs. Alternatively, you can cut croissants into small pieces and toast them with honey or sugar for a dessert. The simplest way to enjoy them is to dip them in a glass of milk or yogurt for breakfast.
Video of authentic croissants made in France:
You can sandwich croissants with ham and cheese.
Here are some suggestions for places to enjoy delicious croissants in France:
- Boulangerie Du Pain et Des IdéesFamous for its traditional croissant recipe and excellent quality.
- Boulangerie Eric KayserThis bakery chain is famous for its wide variety of creative croissants.
- Pierre HerméA premium pastry brand offering a unique and sophisticated version of the croissant.
