Food - Drink
The Shape Of Your French Croissant Could Have A Hidden Meaning
BY STEPHANIE FRIEDMAN
The French are famous for creating rules to protect their culture, and when it comes to their cuisine, the French have plenty to say about what is acceptable. For example, though the word croissant means "crescent" in French, the best of these melt-in-your-mouth pastries are not shaped that way.
Croissants made with butter are typically straight since it is said that French law requires croissants made with margarine to be shaped like a crescent. Because of this, straight croissants are generally considered superior — ironic, considering their name.
Other countries discovering and adjusting croissant customs sparks much-heated debate amongst French chefs, and Jean-Christophe Novelli, a former baker in northern France, disagreed with sullying butter croissants with added toppings. To eat them traditionally, as the French do, you can try dunking croissants in your coffee before taking a bite.