29 Apr 2024
With International Brioche Day just around the corner on May 14, it's the perfect time to indulge in the delicious and beloved sweet bakery item that has taken the world by storm.
Brioche has become a global sensation. In the past three years, online conversations have grown more than 15%, with 20% more new launches each year! Over 1.000 new brioche products have been launched in over 60 countries.
So, what is brioche exactly? Brioche is a pastry and a delectable sweet bakery items traditionally made with butter and eggs that gives it a rich, slightly sweet and buttery flavor. Brioche is also known for its soft, fluffy texture, which is the result of the high fat content in the dough.
The origin of Brioche
The most authentic and classic brioche comes from Normandy, a region of northern France famous for the quality of its butter. Interestingly, in very authentic brioche recipes, 400g of butter per kilo of flour is required. The name "brioche" comes from the old French word "brier," which means "to crush the dough". Over the centuries, brioches spread to many regions, and there are now over 30 different types of brioche in France, with almost every region having its own specialty.
What about France?
France, in general, is known for its beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and history, and Paris is often referred to as the city of love. The charm and romanticism of Paris are recognized worldwide, explained by its large boulevards and monuments such as the Eiffel Tower or the Pont des Arts, also called the bridge of lovers.
In addition to its cultural heritage, French cuisine is highly celebrated, with over 600 Michelin-starred restaurants in France. And with more than 30 types of brioche available, there's no shortage of delicious brioche to enjoy.
Discover some famous classics
Brioche Parisienne, also referred to as "brioche à tête," has a unique shape with a smaller "head" on top of a larger round loaf. This delicious brioche gained fame in the 18th century and remains a cherished favorite in Paris.
The Chinois consists of a tender, buttery dough rolled around a creamy patisserie filling, often enriched with chocolate chips or raisins. Its name may have originated from a Frenchman's humorous struggle with the original German name "schneckenkuchen" (snail pie), or from the conical shape resembling a Chinois sieve.
Brioche de Nanterre is characterized by its rectangular loaf shape, made by arranging small balls of dough neatly in the baking pan. This method not only gives it a characteristic appearance but also makes it perfect for sharing with loved ones. The bread originated in the 16th century in Nanterre, near Paris.
The Tropézienne is a round brioche generously filled with orange-scented cream and decorated with pearl sugar sprinkles. It owes its name to iconic French actress Brigitte Bardot, who fell in love with it during filming in Saint-Tropez in 1955 and named it 'La Tarte Tropézienne'
From the picturesque region of Bresse in eastern France, the Bressane is known for its rich, buttery flavor and delicate texture. The brioche stands out for its distinctive round shape and is often decorated with granulated sugar on top so it's no coincidence that it’s also referred to as "tarte sucrée”.
The Saint-Genix, from Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers, is a brioche adorned with with iconic pink praline. It originated in Lyon, and legends say that a creative pastry chef added a touch of pink to the candied nuts, inspired by the Rhône’s rose gardens.
Puratos can help you
With a focus on balanced costs and differentiation, Puratos can help you and your customers to create the perfect taste and texture in brioche recipes. We offer an extensive range of key ingredients: improvers & mixes such as Puraslim, Soft’r Melting and Easy Soft’r Plant-Based Mix, fillings, specialty fats, glazes and sourdough, to name a few.
From French classic brioche to fully plant-based, as well as brioche with a healthier twist, discover a range of innovative recipes and bring not only a touch of France to your product range, but also answer the consumer needs of tomorrow. With Puratos's expertise, bakers and food manufacturers can create delicious and innovative brioche products that stand out in a growing category.
