who invented the baguette ? food dictionary

Summary

The video explores the origins and history of the iconic French baguette. It delves into the legend that Napoleon may have influenced its shape for soldiers, but debunks this myth. The real invention of the baguette is tied to advancements in baking technology during the 19th century and the challenges faced by French bakers after World War I. Today, Paris hosts an annual competition to crown the best baguette, with winners earning the prestigious honor of supplying bread to the French President. The video concludes with an invitation to subscribe for more food content.

Takeaways

• 😀 The annual 'Best Baguette' competition in Paris attracts hundreds of bakers who believe their baguette is the best in the city.
• 😀 The competition aims to select the baguette that will be served to the French president for a year.
• 😀 The legend suggests that Napoleon created the baguette for soldiers to carry easily in their pants pockets, but this is likely a myth.
• 😀 The true origin of the baguette dates back to the 19th century when Austrian ovens with steam injection were introduced in France.
• 😀 These specialized ovens allowed bakers to create bread with a hard crust and soft interior, which was perfect for the baguette.
• 😀 The baguette became popular in the 1920s, especially after many bakers were killed or injured during World War I, and the need for quick bread became essential.
• 😀 A law passed in the 1920s allowed bakeries to open only from 4:00 a.m., making the baguette the bread that could be prepared for breakfast on time.
• 😀 The baguette was designed to remain fresh for at least an hour after being baked, which led to French people buying fresh baguettes multiple times a day.
• 😀 The 'Best Baguette' contest in Paris has strict criteria for participation, including belonging to the Parisian baker’s guild and meeting specific size and weight standards.
• 😀 Winning the contest earns the bakery a one-year contract to supply baguettes to the Elysee Palace, where the French president is expected to enjoy the bread daily.

Q & A

Who participates in the best baguette competition in Paris?

Parisian bakers, known as Bollingers, participate in the annual best baguette competition, each aiming to present the best baguette in the city.

What is the prize for winning the best baguette competition in Paris?

The winner receives a one-year contract to supply baguettes to the Elysee Palace, where the French president may eat their bread every morning.

What is the historical legend behind the creation of the baguette?

The legend suggests that Napoleon Bonaparte ordered the creation of a stick-shaped bread that could easily fit in a soldier's pocket during the Napoleonic period, but this is likely a myth.

What technological advancement helped in the creation of the modern baguette?

In the 19th century, the invention of a special gas-based oven with a steam injection mechanism allowed bakers to create bread with a hard crust and soft interior, contributing to the development of the baguette.

When did the baguette become widely popular in France?

The baguette became widely popular in the 1920s, especially after World War I, when there was a shortage of bakers and a new law limited bakery hours, making the baguette the ideal bread for breakfast.

Why was the baguette an ideal choice for bakeries in post-World War I France?

The baguette was easy to bake quickly and was tasty for up to an hour after being made, which made it popular as a breakfast bread in a time when bakers were limited by the hours they could work.

What are the official requirements for a baguette to participate in the Paris competition?

The baguette must be between 55 and 65 centimeters long, and it must weigh between 250 and 350 grams to meet the standards listed by the Paris Bakeries Guild.

What is the significance of the Parisian Bakeries Guild in the baguette competition?

To participate in the best baguette competition, a baker must own a store listed in the Paris Bakeries Guild, ensuring that the baker meets the city's official standards.

How are the baguettes evaluated in the competition?

The baguettes are evaluated by a jury, with each entry marked by a number. The most outstanding baguette is selected as the winner of the competition.

What is the role of the French president in the baguette competition?

The winning baguette from the competition is the one that the French president will eat for a year, symbolizing the highest honor in French baking.