Do you know where the croissant comes from? (History of the Croissant)
Last Updated on 26th June 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
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When you think of France, the first image that pops into your head is likely someone on a bicycle, wearing a striped Breton top, carrying a couple of croissants in their front basket. But anyway, did you know that the croissant isn’t French? I know! I couldn’t believe it when I found out either… Here’s a brief history of the croissant.
History of the Croissant
If you’ve never heard of the French croissant before, then you’ve been missing out. The croissant is a buttery, flakey and oh so delicious pastry, famed for its crescent form. Although crescent shaped patisseries have been popular since the Renaissance period (14th-17th Centuries), evidence suggests that this shape has been popular as far back as antiquity!
Like many iconic dishes, no one knows quite where the croissant came from. Theories range from the credible to the impossible:
One theory suggests that the croissant has an ancestor, which inspired the croissant creator to be a little more daring. The story goes a little like this: Unlike other French delicacies, but much like the macaron, the croissant didn’t just appear one day out of nowhere. Instead, it descended from the Eastern European ‘Kifli‘ (the Hungarian word for crescent).
Also known as the ‘kiperfl’ this is a heavier, older form of croissant. With roots dating back to 13th-Century Austria, the most traditional of this form of pastry consists of rolled soft butter dough. However, unlike croissants which are made from puff pastry, the Kifli is made of the same mixture as normal bread.
Another theory suggests that Marie Antoinette herself indirectly invented the croissant. She missed the ‘kiperfl’ from her home country and so commissioned the royal chefs to prepare her one. Unfortunately, something went wrong in the baking process, and thus the croissant was born. However, just like the fact that she likely never said “let them eat cake,” I’ll put this theory down as a not so believable…
So the Croissant isn’t French?
The truth is, we don’t know. And maybe we never will. But that’s okay because a little mystery is kind of exciting, right? What we do know is that the croissant likely isn’t French. Personally, I can’t wait to hear what the next ‘theory of the history of the croissant’ will be…
Visiting France and want to learn more about the croissant?
If you’re visiting France and you want to learn more about the croissant for yourself, there are a varieties of ways to do this. Here are some of the most popular:
Paris: Behind the Scenes Bakery Tour with Breakfast: This well-reviewed activity showcases several patisseries and bread to teach you about the secret of great French baking. Check prices and availability here.
Paris: Pastry and Chocolate Tasting Walking Tour: Another well-reviewed food tour focusing on pastries will guide you through the best bakeries in the center of Paris and its beautiful surroundings. Check prices and availability here.
Hi, Sophie. Even if the croissant could be somehow tied to Vienna/Austria, it’s entirely possible that the crescent-shaped could be linked to the Ottoman flag or what would be today’s Turkish flag with its crescent moon and five-point star. For me, it’s been fascinating to learn about what claims the Viennese have had regarding their “kipferl.” Thanks for your post.
Very interesting! The croissant is some kind of food wich I enjoy everyday when I am in in Paris!
Regardless of its origin, the croissant is the most delicious creation to succumb this earth. I certainly indulged in them every day when I visited Paris. Sooooo delish X
It seems like we don’t know, so it’s a bit too much to say that it isn’t French. Feels like you fell into the click-bait trend and I was honestly a bit disappointed. To me, this article was something like: we don’t know, this is one theory, this is another theory, actually nobody knows but the conclusion is that we can say it’s not French. Sorry to have to write a somewhat “mean” comment and I don’t mean it in a bad way or to attack you, but I think it can be useful criticism (don’t need to publish this comment). Have a nice day!
I’ve heard about its Austrian origins:))