A Story of Beignets
The cuisine of New Orleans stands as a testament to the city’s cultural diversity. Known for its diversity, it boasts a fusion of French, African, Spanish, and Creole roots. In the heart of all this culture lies the beloved beignet, a fried pastry dough that not only engages the taste buds but also plays a significant role in shaping the city’s culinary identity.
The story behind the term “beignet” is a fascinating one. Before the change of this name, beignets were simply referred to as “doughnuts” or “French market doughnuts.” However, in an effort to differentiate these pastries from the conventional doughnut, the term “beignets” was introduced in 1958. This change not only added a touch of French elegance to the pastries’ name but also highlighted their unique characteristics. The word “beignet” itself has roots traced back to the Celtic word “Bigne,” meaning “to rise.” In French, “beignet” translates to “fritter,” alluding to the delightful deep-fried nature of these New Orleans delicacies. This transition from generic names to “beignets” was not just a culinary rebranding; it marked a turning point in the pastry’s identity and its connection to New Orleans’ cultural heritage.
Beignets are a prime example of the cultural fusion within New Orleans. The presence of these delectable treats date back to the 18th century when french settlers brought their culinary traditions with them. Inspired by the Choux pastry of their homeland, they created a pastry that would eventually evolve and bring us the beignets we know and love today.
Beignets are popular all over New Orleans, however the most popular place to enjoy beignets is Cafe Du Monde. Cafe Du Monde was the first establishment to sell beignets in 1862. They are still open to this day selling only coffee and beignets. In more recent years they have also started operating a food truck so that you can enjoy coffee and beignets around the city. You can sit down and enjoy these treats at this notorious coffee stand or food truck, but you can also purchase their beignet mix through their website and enjoy them from the comfort of your own home. This is the approach I took in making my very own beignets to share with the class. All I needed to do was add water to the mixture, roll it out, cut them accordingly and then deep fry them, before topping with powdered sugar. This resulted in Cafe Du Monde’s scrumptious beignets, even in the heart of Virginia.
Today, millions of beignets are consumed annually in New Orleans. Every visit to Cafe Du Monde and a bite of their famous beignets, you not only indulge in a delightful treat, but you also take part in generations long tradition. Beignets serve to remind us of the beauty and diversity of the crescent city and its past with each delicious bite.
Sources:
https://www.tastingtable.com/1068904/the-fascinating-history-of-new-orleans-famous-beignets/
https://gambinos.com/powdered-sugar-pillows-history-beignet/
https://whatscookingamerica.net/history/beignetshistory.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caf%C3%A9_du_Monde
https://www.neworleans.com/restaurants/traditional-new-orleans-foods/beignets/