{"id":2728,"date":"2022-12-30T10:28:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-30T10:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.secretfoodtours.com\/blog\/?p=2728"},"modified":"2023-02-10T14:54:23","modified_gmt":"2023-02-10T14:54:23","slug":"what-do-you-find-in-a-french-bakery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.secretfoodtours.com\/blog\/what-do-you-find-in-a-french-bakery\/","title":{"rendered":"What do you find in a French Bakery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
What do you find in a French bakery? The answer is rather obvious but allow me to get into details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, not everyone can be calling oneself \u201cBoulangerie\u201d, to be one, implies a few rules to follow failing to do so you are just a bread retailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All fabrication processes are done on the premises from the p\u00e9trin (creation of the dough) to the baking.<\/em><\/strong><\/li>
No freezing involved at any stage, the bread must be fresh, the dough never frozen and the baguette not partially baked and reserved for later.<\/em><\/strong><\/li>
All bread must be sold on the premises (with the exception of some bakers vans in the countryside as long as they can prove the two above process)<\/em><\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
So when entering the bakery what will you find?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1- Bread of course, usually split into 3 categories<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Baguettes (Classic, Tradition, Paysanne, Ficelle, Corn flour, Cereal etc\u2026) sold whole or half (from $1 to $1.60<\/li>
Sourdough bread loaves sold whole, half or quarter with price per weight, possibility to have it sliced<\/li>
Pains are usually shorter and stockier, using a variation of flours, ingredients (Whole Grain\/Meal, Soft white, with walnuts\/olives\/figs\/herbs etc\u2026)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
2- Viennoiseries<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Often called \u201cBreakfast Pastries\u201d, it is misleading as in France we enjoy them both for breakfast but also for tea-break. Made in two batches early morning and mid afternoon you always get fresh croissants, pain au chocolat, pains au lait, apple turnover etc\u2026 prices will vary between usually $1 a brioche to up to $2.50 for a croissant aux amandes<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
3- Pastries<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are at a “Boulangerie”, cakes will be few as they will done once every bread is done, on the other hand, “Boulangeries – P\u00e2tisseries” have both a chef Boulanger and a Chef P\u00e2tissier working on their own space able to create more fancy desserts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Cakes are always offered in single portions (Eclairs, Religieuses, Paris-Brest, Mille-Feuille, Tartes aux Citrons) and often in party cakes size (Tartes, Flans & Clafoutis\u2026) for 4\/6\/8 people. Some Patisserie will offer the possibility to order specific cakes and even sometimes cakes that are not on their menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4- Take away luncheons<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Quickly it became obvious that making baguette could lead to making sandwich, so many bakeries will offer a batch of a selection of Sandwiches (Parisiens, Tuna Mayonnaise, Egg Mayonnaise, Chicken curry\u2026) and some quiches all of them offered in a set menu including a soft and a dessert for around $8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Bigger locations will offer salads and even some hot meals to take away if their kitchens allow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5- Nibbles<\/strong> and bags of<\/strong> “goodies”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bakeries have been known to save the day of forgetful people, indeed most bakery will prepare a couple specialities (Madeleine, Macarons, Meringues…) home-made in fancy wrappings and the seal of the bakery or even sell some chocolates and bites, saving the lives of countless people visiting their in laws or having forgotten a very important wedding birthday for instance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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