[Trivia] A quiz to learn about the history of croissants and the origin of their name

cornet

In Italy, croissants are called “cornetti.” Cornetti are very popular in Italian breakfast and café culture and are often enjoyed with an espresso or cappuccino.

Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette was a queen from Austria. There is a theory that she brought to France the breads she was familiar with from her Austrian upbringing. It may be due to her influence that croissants have become embedded in France’s breakfast culture to this day. However, there are differing accounts of this story, making it an intriguing episode in the discussion of the croissant’s origins.

27 layers

The secret behind the crispy texture of croissant dough lies in its structure. A typical croissant is said to have as many as 27 layers. These layers are created through a technique called lamination, in which butter is repeatedly folded into the dough and rolled out. When baked, the butter evaporates and forms pockets of air, producing the croissant’s distinctive texture. The next time you eat a croissant, it might be nice to savor it while imagining just how many layers it contains.

Flag of Turkey

It’s said that the croissant was created to commemorate the Siege of Vienna. Its crescent shape is modeled after the crescent on the flag of the Ottomans (Turkey), who were the enemy at the time. The shape is believed to symbolize victory over the Ottoman Empire (Turkey).

Tear along the layers

The most delicious way to eat a croissant is to tear it along its layers. This method lets you experience the layers to the fullest. Dough that has been folded many times with butter woven throughout reveals its delicate strata when torn, enhancing the crisp texture in your mouth and bringing out the buttery aroma even more.

Almond

The main ingredient used in croissant aux amandes is almonds. Almond paste and sliced almonds are used, enriching the flavor of the croissant and giving it a distinctive texture and sweetness. Almonds transform the croissant into something even more delicious, adding sweetness and a toasty aroma that make breakfast or snack time feel extra special.

Gipfeli

In the German-speaking regions of Switzerland, a croissant is called a “Gipfeli.” Gipfeli are known for their distinctive crescent shape and richly buttery flavor. This region-specific name shows how local culture and language influence culinary traditions.