The Quest For the Almond Croissant


 (Golden Farmers Market - Golden, Colorado)


Many years ago, my mother introduced me to the world of French pastries when we walked into La Baguette in Memphis, TN. Although the little shop had many items to choose from, my mom showed me the almond croissant . . . and I haven't been the same since. Their almond croissant was heaven to my mouth - the tastes of butter and sweet almond caressing my tastebuds. I ate their almond croissants once every six months because enjoying them meant not only a decadent treat but also a little bit of stomach pain afterward. It seemed that while I could appreciate the finer foods of the world, my acid reflux thought otherwise. Since that time, the almond croissant symbolized a moment of sheer selfish pleasure for myself, the one time in which I throw all gastro-caution to the wind and just give in. The almond croissant has become a bit like a World of Warcraft quest for me - seeking it out every chance I get and knowing that the reward will be just and delicious! No XP, though. I located other Memphis-based coffee shops and bakeries that sold the almond croissant - some good and some really bad. Yet, I had to applaud them for even selling them. Better a bad almond croissant than none at all. By the way, if you ever visit the Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market in Memphis, one of the vendors sells top-quality almond croissants there!

After La Baguette came Rue de la Course in New Orleans and their take on the wonderful pastry. Every time I visited the city (and eventually moved there), I knew that delicious almond croissants were within my reach. After I moved there during the beginning of COVID, my Sunday mornings were spent in the bank turned coffee house with my tea/coffee and almond croissant. It became part of my routine and I always looked forward to it. However, my time in New Orleans would not be long, for the call of the West beckoned me. Colorado was a strange animal to me and yet it wasn't. Several years ago, I spent time in New Mexico and found myself strangely attuned to the Land of Enchantment. No croissants but I did enjoy Navajo Fry Bread with honey and amazing blueberry pancakes! When I visited Colorado for the first time, I felt that sense of "welcome back". When I moved to the Denver area in November 2020, I felt adrift yet strangely calm, while my love of the almond croissant went dormant. However, while conducting a search of French bakeries in the area, I located one. And drove to it. And found my almond croissant once more! If you ever find yourself in Denver, try to visit Katherine's French Bakery on University Avenue. I've only been there twice and both times enjoyed their almond croissants with super crunchy almonds on top. Several months later, I began working at the Golden Farmers Market in Golden, CO (home of Coors Beer!) and noticed that a fellow vendor sold pastries. The almond croissant was front and center (see above photo) and I was overjoyed!

Why the almond croissant? Why not the Twinkie or Moon Pie or anything else? I love the taste, I love the satisfaction of purchasing one. I love the first bite, causing the almonds on top to fall into my lap while the powdered sugar dusts my shirt. I love the combined taste of baked dough, butter, and almonds rolling into one glorious sensation. They also cater to my Francophile ways - I adore the French and the almond croissant is like receiving a handwritten letter scented with fresh lavender. However, it's one thing to purchase an almond croissant. It's another to try and make one from scratch. Perhaps that's another reason why almond croissants mean so much to me - a new personal quest to make them myself. That day is coming soon. I can feel it. 

To all of the coffee shops and French bakeries that sell freshly made almond croissants - merci beaucoup!



Click HERE for the Viridian Tea Company Etsy Store - Tea Blends for the Strange and Unusual!


(Harlem Muse Tea Blend - inspired by the works of Nella Larsen)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Crows

Image
  (tea leaves photo by me) The old crow flew down from the skies and perched next to me. Of all the times when I flew, he said in a gravelly voice, I wished to be on the ground. He cocked his head at me and waited for my reply. Instead, I set a small tin cup before him and filled it with my morning Tea. He cawed once, then lowered his beak into the warm liquid. Conversations are always important, I replied while he drank. That's why we are lost without them. The crow continued to drink the Tea. Just then, a woman with red hair and dressed in all black, walked up to us and sat down on the other side of me. I've forgotten how to think, she said in a singsong voice. The crow raised his head and cawed - then how are you talking now? His black beady eyes focused on her crooked smile. She closed her eyes and transformed into another crow. I stared off at the clouds and wondered if our thoughts betray us, or if we are the result of them. I then poured Tea into another cup and gave it
Read more

Tea Is A Good Friend of Mine - Celia Carmen Aceae

Image
Here's another great interview - meet Celia Carmen Aceae! What’s your name and what part of the world do you live in? Hi! My name is Celia Carmen Aceae and I live in Montreal, QC, Canada How long have you been drinking tea? What’s the story, morning glory? I’ve been drinking tea since I can remember. In my house, we never drank water and there was no rule against children consuming caffeine at all! I’ve only recently realized that the reason my sister and I were always labeled as crazy, wild and hyper at school, was probably because my mom sent us to class every day with a giant jug of tea. We were constantly caffeinated! Tea also means more than just Camellia sinensis for me. I’ve been reading about medicinal herbs since I was eight. My mother forbade all forms of medication in our household, so I learned at a young age how to cure small ailments with plants and tisanes. My sister was very prone to headaches and anytime she started to get one, I would hop on my
Read more

A Flash of Jazz - Acoustic Bicycle

Image
  When Abby declared that she was now the proud owner of an acoustic bicycle, I rolled my eyes and congratulated her on finally getting that last badge that would claim her to be a Black Hipster. She looked at me as though I had just told the funniest joke. You're just jealous that you didn't know the term, she laughed. At that moment, I wanted to leave but instead replied with - I've heard that snarky ass term before, thank you very much. In fact, I added with my own spoon of snark as I leaned forward on the table, I first heard it when I hung out with that really cool singer-songwriter, you know the one? Now she rolled her eyes at me, giving me full permission to continue on my soapbox. Yeah, yeah, the one who talked about planting wildflowers every time someone purchased her CDs. THAT one. So, Abby replied, I guess you're now going to save the planet, stop eating burgers, and plant a fucking tree every time someone farts? How very original, Wendell . The way she said
Read more