The origin of the famous croissant
When mentionedcroissant, people will immediately think of France, however, the truth is that croissants were not created by the French but were first made in Austria.
In 1686, during the war between Turkey and Austria, one night, a baker heard a strange noise underground and immediately reported it to the army. Thanks to that, the Austrian soldiers promptly stopped the tunnel digging to advance into the capital Vienna and from there created victory for Austria later. At that time, the baker was asked what reward he wanted and without hesitation, he replied that he just wanted to make cakes to serve the soldiers.
When it comes to croissants, people immediately think of France, but the truth is that croissants were not invented by the French, but were first made in Austria.
The shape of the cake resembled a crescent moon and also served as a reminder to the Turks of the Austrian victory. This is how croissants came to be.
Since the time the croissant was invented, the cake quickly captured the hearts of the majority of Austrians and became an indispensable favorite breakfast. The extremely simple ingredients to create a croissant include flour, butter, yeast, salt, milk must achieve the spongy crust and the inside must be airy.
The croissant was originally called kipfel (crescent moon) and later changed its name to 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, later King Louis XVI.
Parisian bakers created the kipfel in honor of the princess. From then on, the cake was elevated to a high standard and was included in French luxury parties and versions of the croissant also changed. Not the hollow version but instead versions filled with raisins, jam, chocolate or buttercream…
The croissant's croissant shape symbolizes abundance and prosperity.
The croissant's croissant shape symbolizes abundance and prosperity. It is often enjoyed in the morning, symbolizing the start of a new day full of energy and joy.
The sophistication of croissant culture
The French often choose to buy croissants at local bakeries (boulangerie) early in the morning to get the freshest, most delicious ones. The French pay great attention to the quality and flavor of the ingredients. Good croissants must be made from high-quality butter and quality flour. Good croissants will have a golden, crispy crust, not soft or soggy. The bread should have a light buttery aroma, not smelly or fishy. The size of the bread depends on preference, but medium-sized breads are 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 also pay attention to how they reheat the pastry to maintain the crispiness of the crust and the delicious flavor of the inside. The French usually reheat the pastry in the oven or microwave for a few minutes to make the crust crispier.
Enjoying croissants is a sophisticated cultural feature of the French. They often take time to relax and enjoy the taste of bread in the morning or afternoon. The French often enjoy croissants simply with a cup of hot coffee or tea. The bread can be eaten with fruit jam, honey, fresh cream or chocolate depending on their preference. When eating, the French often use their hands to tear the bread into small pieces and enjoy it slowly to fully feel the flavor.
Croissant served with whipped cream and strawberries
In addition, the French also have many different ways to enjoy croissants. You can sandwich croissants with cold cuts, cheese and vegetables to make sandwiches or make croissant sandwiches with different fillings such as grilled meat, salad, fried eggs, etc. Besides, you can also cut croissants into small pieces and bake them with honey or sugar for dessert. In addition, the simplest way to enjoy croissants is to put them in a glass of milk or yogurt for breakfast.
Video of authentic croissants made in France:
You can sandwich the croissant with cold cuts and cheese.
Some suggestions for places to enjoy delicious croissants in France:
- Boulangerie Du Pain et Des Idées: Famous for its traditional croissant recipe and excellent quality.
- Boulangerie Eric Kayser: A famous bakery chain with a wide variety of creative croissants.
- Pierre Hermé: Premium pastry brand with unique and sophisticated croissant versions.
