A beignet is an irresistible treat with a decadent French twist. The uniquely sweet, yet unforgivably rich, crusty charm makes it the perfect treat for travel, leisure, or a day out on the town. Beignets slowly but surely are making their way onto menus throughout Houston. Whether you visit a casual cafe or a restaurant, the beignet is sure to captivate your attention and taste buds. Eating beignets in a classy, local cafe can be a life changing experience.
What Is a Beignet?
Think of a Beignet as a deep fried, classy, doughnut without a hole and with powdered sugar. Made with sweet dough, these treats are deep fried, producing a warm, crunchy, yet, soft and chewy sensation. They also contain a hollow center. So, you can set your caloric worries aside when you consume these treats.
Better Than a Doughnut?
Beignets are not necessarily better than doughnuts. In fact, they are technically classified as doughnuts. However, it is important to note a few differences. While beignets are leavened, donuts are not. Beignets are also less chewy than regular doughnuts, possessing a firmer dough texture.
Varieties
Beignets come in a number of varieties, especially since designer doughnuts are experiencing a rise in popularity. For example, while many are served plain with powdered sugar, milk chocolate is also another popular flavor option. Chocolate beignets are known for their supple, pillowy layers. Drizzled with powdered sugar and chocolate, these delicious treats are replete with chunks of mouth-watering milk chocolate. Based on this alone, you should make an effort to eat beignets in a cafe near you.
History of Beignets
Where do Beignets actually come from? The have a natural, French zing to them, but they are a popular commodity in the southern United States. Nonetheless, they were brought to the U.S. by French colonists in the 1700s, and gradually, these treats became popularized among the Creole people. Generally speaking, people eat these mouth-watering pastries for breakfast in New Orleans, Louisiana. Typically, they are consumed shortly after preparation. By eating them fresh, you can guarantee a warm, delectable, pastry eating experience.
Facts
Here are a few interesting facts about beignets to get your salivating juices churning. Beignets are generally square shape, and consumed with a fork and knife. When they are immersed in oil to be fried, these oils have a smoke point. Finally, the center is completely fluffy, and this pastry is best paired with a hot coffee known as cafe au lait.
As you can see, these pastries are far more than mere donuts. A single bite embodies centuries of brilliant French and creole cuisine. Further, there is far less guilt associated with eating these hollow, fluffy treats. If you are interested in consuming the pastry equivalent of paradise, consider finding beignets in Houston soon.