One of the best national days is almost upon us. December 9th is National Pastry Day! Yet, why is this day important? Well, pastry is one of the key ingredients in thousands of sweet and savory dishes and desserts across various cultures throughout the world. There are many different kinds of delectable pastries that will have your eyes glazing over and your mouth watering.
Without further ado, let’s have a quick look into the world of pastry. Should you decide to try a few delicious pastry treats, you can visit New Jersey’s number one bakery, Sweet Melissa Patisserie, for a pastry you won’t soon forget.
The Four Main Pastry Types
Pastry is a delectable ingredient with many uses in cooking. Have a look at the pastry types often used to make deliciously tantalizing dishes.
1. Shortcrust Pastry
If you have ever eaten a shortbread cookie, you will have an idea about what shortbread pastry is. This type of pastry is sweet and sturdy, which is why it’s often used to make tarts.
It’s also the type of dessert pastry is easy to bake with and manage compared to more delicate pastry types.
2. Flaky Pastry
The simplest form of pastry is flaky pastry. It is easy to cook with and is commonly used for sweet and savory dishes like pies, sausage roffs, and quiches. This type of pastry requires a gentle hand as if it is overworked, it can become a crumbly mess, and no one wants that when they are baking a masterpiece.
3. Filo Pastry
If you have ever eaten a Baklava or Borek, you likely know about filo pastry. This type of pastry is made into very thin sheets and is often used as a delicate casing that encompasses savory and sweet dishes.
4. Puff Pastry
Another pastry that many people know of is puff pastry. With this pastry, fat and air are trapped between the pastry’s layers of the dough to allow for a layered and delicate appearance with a crisp finish.
Often this pastry type is favored by chefs as it’s often used for pie crusts, vol-au-vents, mille feuilles, cream horns, and pies.
The History Of Pastry
It is believed that pastry was invented by the Ancient Greeks sometime before the 5th century because what is known as pastry today is mentioned in the plays written by Aristophanes. Fast forward to the 14th century, and pastry is evolving, with the Paris Pastry Guild recording its very first constitution in 1440.
In 1788 the world was introduced to the wonder that is puff pastry. Then a few decades later, in 1850, a bakery worker’s strike occurred where Denmark was forced to hire foreign workers. This tremendously impacted the industry as new Pastry recipes were introduced, such as the “Danish.” Since then, Pastry recipes and types have continued to evolve to the point where there is now a pastry for every occasion.
How To celebrate on national pastry day
Were you aware that there are numerous ways you can celebrate National Pastry Day on December 9th? If you want to fully embrace this national holiday, you can make your own pastry dough from scratch. We know it can be highly tempting to buy pre-made dough, but the satisfaction you will receive from making your own will be worth it!
If you don’t fancy yourself a pastry chef on National pastry day, you can enjoy watching a few of the best cooking shows. These shows include “The Great American Baking Show,” “Cupcake Wars,” “The Great British Bake Off,” and “Sugar Rush,” Watching these shows will give you an insight into what goes into making pastries.
If watching these cooking shows creates an appetite, you can enjoy National Pastry Day at a local bakery. It’s likely you won’t have to travel too far to enjoy a pastry at a bakery that sells delicious foods. If you’re in New Jersey, you can pop in at Sweet Melissa Patisserie for a pastry or two.
Visit Sweet Melissa’s Patisserie
Are you wanting to visit a bakery that is filled with delicious pastries just waiting for you to try? At Sweet Melissa Patisserie, we can help you celebrate National Pastry Day on December 9th with our impressive selection of tasty pastry treats. We have savory and sweet pastries to tantalize your taste buds.
You can find our bakery at 56 Payne Road, Lebanon, New Jersey. If you want to call in advance to check if we have the pastries you desire, you can call us at 908-323-2640. Our establishment cannot wait to share our delectable offerings with you!