Posted by Gerard on August 11, 1998 at 21:11:29:
Someone asked for this info, its an interesting read.
Beth,
In 1686 the Turks tried to seize Budapest by digging under the walls of the city at night.
Only the bakers were awake (working of course) the heard the noise and sounded the
alarm, foiling the surprise attack of the Turks.
The reward was permission to sell a delicasy at premium price,( not a surprising stunt
considering european socialism, French bread and croissants are still Gvmnt regulated)
The Croissant became that delicasy, the attraction was not just the flavor/texture but the
crescant shape which mocks the Turkish flag.
Introduced into France by Marie Antoinette who was originally Princess of Austria, the
croissant belongs to viennoiserie class of breakfast pastry.
Boy, kinda interesting eh?
Further, originally it was not flaky (feullete') dough but made with a bread-like dough. Not
until the beginning of the 19th century in France were the now common forms adapted
with layers of butter producing flaky pastry.