The croissant is known as a quintessential French pastry, but do you know its origins?
How does the story begin?
The story begins with the kipferl, a crescent-shaped bread or pastry popular in Austria as early as the 13th century. The modern croissant we know today evolved from this early form of the pastry. A popular legend ties the kipferl to the defeat of the Ottoman Empire during the siege of Vienna in 1683. It is said that Viennese bakers, working late at night, heard Turkish forces tunnelling under the city and raised the alarm, leading to the city’s successful defence. To commemorate the victory, bakers created a crescent-shaped pastry resembling the crescent on the Ottoman flag.
When was it introduced to France?
The croissant’s journey to France began in the late 18th century, when Marie Antoinette, an Austrian princess who became the Queen of France, is believed to have introduced the pastry to the French. The French then transformed the Austrian kipferl into the buttery, flaky pastry we now recognise as the croissant, using laminated dough techniques that became a hallmark of French patisserie.
By the 19th century, croissants had become a staple of French bakeries. Today, the croissant is celebrated as a symbol of culinary excellence, but its Austrian origins remain an important part of its history. Croissants can have various delicious fillings and if this whets your appetite, croissants are available through office lunch catering from companies such as Crumbs Delivered.
The humble croissant has global appeal
Around the world, the croissant is a staple of many people’s breakfasts and lunches. Every November, on the Feast of St Martin, Poznan in Poland comes alive with an extravaganza starring a very special horseshoe-shaped pastry, the St Martin’s croissant.
What are popular fillings?
The classic pain au chocolat is a croissant filled with chocolate or spread, while jams such as raspberry, apricot, or strawberry provide a sweet option. Vanilla custard, cream, or whipped cream can be chosen for a decadent treat. A ham and cheese croissant is a classic dish, often using Gruyère or Swiss cheese.
