Understanding What a Croissant is & its Types
Croissant, pronounced khru-ah-son, is a type of puff pastry that’s light, buttery and flaky. There is a rich history and tradition behind the French croissant. It derives its name from its shape, as croissant means crescent in French. Though this flaky pastry is often associated with France, and is a staple in most French boulangeries (bakeries), food historians place its origins in Austria and believe that it was introduced to France in the 19th century by two Austrian bakers.
At Theobroma, we have some of the best croissants to try in India. Keep reading to know more about croissants and the various types.
What is a croissant made of?
A croissant is typically made of yeast-risen dough. The dough is first layered with butter and then rolled. It is folded many times in a process called lamination. Then the dough is cut into triangles, rolled to form a crescent shape and baked. The lamination process gives croissants their flaky texture and fluffy shape.
In a nutshell, when people ask 'what are croissants made of,' the answer is simple: flour, yeast, melted butter, salt, sugar, and milk, blended with an exacting method.
Types of Croissant
We all love options, and when it comes to croissants, there are many types to choose from. Let’s take a look at the various types of croissants available.
Croissant au beurre
This variant of the flaky pastry is delicious, as it is made with lots of butter. With every bite, your taste buds are treated to the salty, flavoursome taste of butter. Theobroma’s butter croissant is crescent shaped and made up of over 70 layers of flaky pastry. It pairs well with tea and coffee so add this to your breakfast menu or enjoy it as a teatime snack.Pain au chocolat
This type of croissant has the goodness of two tasty ingredients - butter and chocolate. The croissant is made by folding bars of chocolate into the buttery dough and then baking it. Theobroma’s pain au chocolat is made by folding pure couverture chocolate between Danish pastry dough.Croissant aux amandes
Also known as almond croissants, they are made with a filling of almond cream and garnished with sliced almonds. The croissants are then re-baked till they attain a crispy texture.Pain aux raisins
This type of croissant comes with raisins or a filling of custard or almond cream. It is a sweet, flaky pastry that can be enjoyed as is, or with a warm beverage like tea or coffee. Because of the various fillings, it makes for a satisfying snack.Croissant ordinaries
This is an ordinary croissant and can be made with margarine instead of butter. It is usually crescent-shaped, but lacks the buttery flavour of a croissant au beurre. This type of croissant can be enjoyed for breakfast and can even be made into a sandwich by slicing it in half and adding your favourite sandwich fillings.
If you’re in the mood for croissants, order them online at Theobroma. Your order will be delivered in minutes!
Which Type of Croissant is Best?
There is no croissant as ‘the best’ as such; it is actually dependent on your taste and preferences. But in general, a good croissant is determined by its soft layers with a perfect golden outer crisp layer and an airy centre.
A classic butter croissant sets the standard, highlighting the quality of the ingredients and lamination. Filled croissants provide flavour, but they never overpower the croissant’s layers and crunch, making them feel more luxurious.
Regardless of the type, a good croissant should taste fresh, feel balanced, and be free of heaviness—qualities that distinguish a well-made croissant from an ordinary one.
Food Pairings for Croissants
Croissants go well with a range of beverages and foods, thus making them fit to consume at any time of day. This versatility is why people frequently ask are croissants sweet or savory, while the fact is that they can be eaten either way, depending on their filling and pairing.
- If you prefer classic flavours, a butter croissant with flaky golden layers and a deep buttery flavour is an excellent choice. Have them for breakfast or as an evening snack with beverages like coffee or hot chocolate—goes perfectly well.
- For those with a sweet tooth, a chocolate croissant offers sweetness with each bite.
- For a light meal, make your croissant filling by adding savouries like cream cheese and veggies to go with some eggs and yoghurt.
FAQs on What are Croissants
Where did croissants first originate from in world culinary history?
Croissants originated in Austria as crescent-shaped ‘kipferl’ and were further refined in France over time.
Why are croissants flaky and layered?
They are flaky because of the lamination process, which involves folding butter into the dough several times.
Is a croissant considered a bread or a pastry?
A croissant can be described as a pastry rather than bread due to its high butter quantity and flaky texture.
What is the difference between butter and regular croissants?
Butter croissants are created with a high butter level, while normal croissants may contain vegetable oils.
Are croissants always sweet?
No, croissants can be either sweet or savoury depending on the filling and their preparation.