by You’ve seen butter being spread, and now some other person is tucking into a pain au chocolate. Tea and coffee sound too wet all of a sudden, or is it that their pastries just too damned dry?
What is this madness? Can’t a schlub just enjoy a curly roll without this pressure?
What even is this curly roll?!
Table of Contents
- What is a Croissant?
- When to eat a Croissant
- How to Eat a Croissant in Paris Like a French Local
- How to avoid getting covered in buttery croissant flakes
- What’s the typical French breakfast?
- Why do the French have a light breakfast?
- Where to find the best breakfast in France
- Different variations of croissant
- Savory croissants
- Sweet croissants
- FAQ
- What’s a typical French breakfast?
- Where is the best place to get a croissant in Paris?
- Are you supposed to dip your croissant in a cup of coffee?
- When is the best time to eat a croissant?
- How do you pronounce “croissant?”
- Find Things to Do in Paris
- Find Accommodation
- Explore Paris With Our Guides & Reviews
What is a Croissant?
They are among the most “French” of French staple foods. Croissant refers to a range of delicious French pastries, known for their buttery flavor and soft, flaky texture.
There are many variations of the traditional croissant, so when in doubt, ask a local for the best place to get one – which will be the easiest thing in the world, because you’ll be in Paris.
As a general rule, they are to DIE for.
When to eat a Croissant
Croissants are consumed for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so some newcomers to Paris often have a hard time knowing when the best time to eat one is.
Well, the best time to eat a croissant is during the morning hours. This is because the croissants are freshest during this time and they have not been sitting out all day.
Ah yes, the struggles of eating a croissant in Paris.
How to Eat a Croissant in Paris Like a French Local
The biggest challenge that some people have when eating a croissant in Paris for the first time is knowing how to eat it. Many visitors to Paris are not familiar with the way the French HEART their croissants, so they often end up making a mess of these flaky rolls.
Well, good news; There are many different ways to eat a croissant. You may breathe that sigh of relief. The most popular way to eat a croissant is to partner it with coffee and or tea.
Another popular way to eat a croissant is to spread butter on it. This gives the croissant a richer flavor. You can also eat a croissant with jam, or some other form of preserve or curd. This is a popular option for breakfast or dessert.
Most croissants are meant to be savory and enjoyed with a light spread of butter and jam, or even dipped into a bowl of soup. While it is a popular French pastime, in Paris it is considered uncouth if they are dipped into tea or coffee like a doughnut or biscuit.
Croissants commonly come with different fillings such as chocolate, cheese, ham, eggs, or anything really. I’ve enjoyed raspberry cream cheese croissants, as well as spinach and feta ones in Paris – the options are virtually limitless.
My one blanket pro tip is, that when you are eating a croissant, it is best to take small bites. This will help to prevent the croissant from falling apart and making a mess. It is also important to eat the croissant slowly so that you can savor the flavor. plus you’ll look like a civilized human being instead of some oik!
Croissants are often paired as a side when you eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner in France. This is because they are easy to bake, crazy popular, and just plain lovely.
You can find croissants at any bakery or café in France. This used to be enforced by law – not that any self-respecting French bakery would call itself such without having croissants.
How to avoid getting covered in buttery croissant flakes
If you’re worried about making a mess while eating a croissant, there are a few things you can do to avoid it. One is to use napkins to wrap around the bottom of the croissant before eating it from the top.
That way, you won’t have to worry about buttery pastry fingers or a flaky front. Another French habit is to soak a croissant briefly in your favorite hot beverage before eating it.
This will help partially bind any perilous flakes to the rest of your roll, and the cup will catch any that can’t be coaxed into staying on the croissant.
People also like to eat croissants with a knife and fork which can help to prevent crumbs from falling all over the place. So, if you’re looking for how to avoid making a mess while eating a croissant, these are a few tips that might help.
See Related: Is It Illegal to Work Weekends in Paris?
What’s the typical French breakfast?
Science has proven breakfast is the most important meal of the day. In the US, breakfast food is a heavy, fried affair that will put you in an early grave for all its sinful deliciousness.
France has a lighter breakfast, and the croissant has a significant roll teehee to play in this meal.
The typical French breakfast usually consists mainly or entirely of bread products like pain au chocolat, pain aux raisins, and additional accompaniments like jam, honey, cold meats, cheeses, and butter to begin your morning before you head off.
During breakfast, you may enjoy a cup of coffee with milk or black hot chocolate, or tea. If you want to have an authentic French breakfast, order a café au lait.
Coffee with hot milk and coffee is called a grand crème. A small coffee with hot milk is called a petit crème. You can also find variations of these coffees, such as a noisette (a drop of hazelnut syrup), or a café Français (a strong black coffee).
If there is one common hot breakfast food the French are known for it’s an omelet.
See Related: Restaurant L’Ambroisie
Why do the French have a light breakfast?
France has surprisingly simple breakfast options for a nation that focuses on the finest cuisine. A French Continental breakfast will typically revolve around one or two croissants, and little else in terms of hot food.
This is because, in France, breakfast is not the most important meal of the day. Contrary to many other countries, breakfast has the lowest importance at breakfast.
Lunch is the most important meal for the French – you can tell by the length of their work lunches. Plus it’s also illegal to take lunch at your desk!
The lunch break is a time for employees to relax and socialize with their colleagues.
This social time is important for building relationships and networking – and drinking wine. It also allows employees to recharge their batteries before heading back to work in the afternoon.
Where to find the best breakfast in France
There is no better place to enjoy a French breakfast than at a local bakery or café. This is where you will find the freshest and most delicious breakfast foods.
The cream of these will be in Paris.
Different variations of croissant
Croissants are a type of French pastry that is made from dough that is rolled and folded to create multiple layers. The dough is then baked until it is golden brown and flaky.
Croissants can be served plain or filled with different ingredients such as pains au chocolat (chocolate croissant), cheese, ham, or egg. There are also different variations of croissants, such as savory croissants or sweet croissants.
See Related: Best Places for Hot Chocolate in Paris, France
Savory croissants
If you are looking for a savory croissant in Paris, there are many different options to choose from. The most popular savory croissants are the ham and cheese croissant and the egg croissant.
The ham and cheese croissant is a croissant that is filled with ham and cheese. This is a popular option for breakfast or lunch.
The egg croissant is a croissant that is filled with an egg. This is a popular option for breakfast or lunch.
Sweet croissants
If you are looking for a sweet croissant in Paris, there are many different options to choose from. The most popular sweet croissants are the chocolate croissant and the almond croissant.
The chocolate croissant is a croissant that is filled with chocolate. This is a popular option for breakfast or dessert.
The almond croissant is a croissant that is filled with almonds. This is a popular option for breakfast or dessert.
FAQ
What’s a typical French breakfast?
In France, people often have a light breakfast called “petite déjeuner” or “pit dej”. This usually includes French bread products, jam, honey, and butter. You might also drink coffee or tea along with orange juice. If there are children present, they typically eat breakfast cereals.
Where is the best place to get a croissant in Paris?
There are many variations of the traditional croissant, so when in doubt, ask a local for the best place to get one. Enjoy your croissant!
Are you supposed to dip your croissant in a cup of coffee?
No – not in Paris at Least! The Parisian or French way is not to dip your croissant in a cup of coffee.
When is the best time to eat a croissant?
The best time to eat a croissant is during the morning hours when they’re fresh!
How do you pronounce “croissant?”
If you want to sound like a native it’s something like krwa-san, but most Americans pronounce it kruh-saant.
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