Previous | Next

Today is Croissant Day. Mind you, there are some people so devoted to Croissants that every day is croissant day.


There are all kinds of hokem myth surrounding croissants, quoted by marketers and food writers whose deadlines don't allow them time for fact-checking. In fact, one of the myths -- about their being created in the 1600s to celebrate a battle against Muslim forces trying to capture Vienna -- was invented in the 1930s. Another myth associates them with Marie Antoinnette, but if the poor dear had invented everything attributed to her, the people might have canonized her instead of offing her head.

But never fear, Practically Edible has the real skinny on Croissants, and today's a good day to roll up your sleeves and bite into the truth. While you are it, you can learn why it's only overachieving North American home cooks on steroids that even attempt to make Croissants (no one in Paris would dream of procuring them any other way than at a bakery.)

Other than reading about Croissants, other ways that you can celebrate the day today are:

• sell Croissants at the office in the morning to raise money for your favourite cause; or
• enjoy for breakfast or at your morning coffee break the croissant of your choice -- traditional plain butter ones, chocolate ones, or almond ones.

Note: a small splinter group of Croissant fans attempt to jump the gun and celebrate the day early, on 20th January.