Oh, and good news: you won’t have to look for a French bakery or take a trip to France to taste. You can already find some classic French pastries in bakeries in the Philippines. And others?
Well, you can make them right in the comfort of your home, thanks to the courses here at The Bailiwick Academy!
On to the list!
Croissant
Ah, the iconic croissant! These crescent-shaped, flaky wonders are a staple of French bakeries worldwide. Made with layers of buttery dough, the perfect croissant boasts a crisp exterior and a soft, airy interior.
Whether they’re plain or filled with chocolate, almonds, or ham and cheese, the croissant is a must-try for any pastry connoisseur.
Is this one of your favorite French pastries? Easily make them at home with our Laminated Dough class by Chef Jimbo de Panadero!
Éclair
Éclairs are the epitome of pastry elegance. These long and thin choux pastry delights are filled with luscious cream and glazed with glossy icing. Chocolate éclairs are the most famous, but flavors like coffee, pistachio, and raspberry offer a delightful twist on tradition.
No matter the flavor, éclairs are a must-try! You can Google “French pastries near me” to look for the nearest bakery… or just enroll in our Making The Perfect Cream Puffs and Eclairs class! Aside from learning how to make éclairs, you’ll get Chef Jimbo de Pandero’s process for making the perfect cream puff—an added dessert!
Macaron
First things first—macarons are different from macaroons. Macaroons are coconut-based cookies. On the other hand, French macarons are small, colorful, and delicate almond meringue cookies that sandwich a creamy filling. They come in different flavors, from classic vanilla to exotic lavender, and melt in your mouth.
With their delicate shells and creamy fillings, macarons are a symphony of textures and tastes. Be sure to savor each bite slowly to fully appreciate their charm. But if you can’t (which is totally understandable), just enroll in Chef Joey Prats’ Parisian Macarons class. That way, you can easily make more when you finish your stash of this classic French dessert.
Madeleine
Madeleines are small, sponge cake-like pastries that look like shells. Typically flavored with lemon zest and vanilla, madeleines are a sweet and light treat, perfect with tea or coffee.
These may be petite, but the impact of these French food is out of this world: the French novelist Marcel Proust immortalized the madeleine in literature for its ability to evoke powerful memories.
Mille-Feuille
You can also call the mille-feuille a Napoleon pastry. All of us non-French speakers are thankful for this. It’s easier to pronounce, after all!
Going back, the mille-feuille is composed of puff pastry layers and rich pastry cream. The top layer is usually garnished with powdered sugar or icing, sometimes detailed with intricate designs. Each bite offers a satisfying crunch followed by a velvety, creamy center.
In short, it’s the perfect balance of textures and flavors that makes this pastry a must-try.
Pain au Chocolat
This rectangular pastry is similar to a croissant, but there’s a twist: it contains a delicious chocolate ganache that can ooze out with each bite! The contrast between the flaky pastry and the gooey chocolate is sheer bliss, and can easily make this your favorite French dessert!
Opera Cake
We’ve talked about opera cake before; it’s a French dessert that’s known for its richness and elegance. People call it an opera cake because it resembles the structure of an opera house. Isn’t it amazing how its layers of almond sponge cake soaked in coffee syrup, layered with ganache and coffee buttercream and covered in a chocolate glaze look so good?
And if you want to experience this famous French dessert for yourself, you can enroll in Chef Ely Salar’s Opera Gateaux class! No need to go to a bakery in Paris for this—pretty cool, huh?
Croquembouche
We’re sure you’ve seen one of these at grand celebrations, and they’re appropriate for taking center stage! This towering masterpiece consists of profiteroles, or cream puffs, stacked high and bound together with spun sugar. It’s a showstopper at weddings and special occasions, and breaking off a golden puff is a joyous experience.
They’re great alternatives to tall cakes, actually. Add them to your food business by enrolling in Chef Miko Aspiras’ Croquembouche class! Isn’t it nice, another to add to your list of French pastries to make at home?
Kouign-Amann
The first thing that came to mind when we encountered this was how you pronounce it? (Spoiler: kween uh·man).
The second? Well, what is this item from the French patisserie?
Well, Kouign-Amann is a pastry from the Brittany region of France. It is notable for its layered composition, similar to plenty of puff pastries, but made with bread dough, butter, and sugar. It gets its distinctive taste from a blend of sweetness and saltiness and is highlighted by a rich buttery flavor.
The multiple layers, achieved through meticulous folding and layering by masterful French pastry chefs, create a crispy, caramelized exterior and a tender, sweet interior, offering a unique combination of textures and flavors.
While it may not have the international recognition of croissants or macarons, Kouign-Amann has experienced a rise in popularity, captivating palates with its decadent richness. You can enjoy it best when it’s fresh from the oven and paired with coffee or tea.
French Tarts
French tarts are an artful combination of crisp pastry crusts and vibrant fruit fillings. Some of the varieties are Tarte aux Fruits, which features a medley of fresh berries or citrus slices, and Tarte au Citron, a flavor that delivers a zesty, lemony punch. No matter what you’re looking for, every palate has a French tart.
Speaking of French Tarts…
Want to try your hand at making these popular French pastries? You’re in luck: Chef Ely Salar has a new class called French Tarts!
These French Tarts are true masterpieces, ready to steal the spotlight on any occasion, especially with Chef Ely’s own special twists for pastry recipes. You can make French tarts that aren’t just fruit fillings, such as Pistachio Crème Brûlée and Tsokolate Salted Caramel. Of course, the classic fruit tarts won’t disappear with the Pecan Tart, Mango Cream Cheese, and Raspberry and Strawberry Tarts.
All are vibrant, filled with luscious pastry cream and a delectably sweet pastry crust. They’ll be sensory delights for your eyes and taste buds. And with this class, you’ll know the answer to the question, “Are French pastries difficult to make at home?”: not with The Bailiwick Academy!
Sign up at The Bailiwick Academy now to start making these French pastries that are a must-try! You’ll feel like a master French pastry chef in no time!
Final Thoughts On French Pastries To Try
Exploring French pastries is like embarking on a sweet, delectable journey through culinary art. Each pastry has a unique texture, flavor, and appearance, reflecting the rich culinary heritage of France. So the next time you’re in a French bakery, be sure to indulge in these French pastries to try to experience a taste of culinary luxury.
And, of course, sign up at The Bailiwick Academy to make various French pastries at home that are also must-tries. See you in one of our classes!
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Keep coming back to The Bailiwick Academy blog for more kitchen and baking tips, tricks, and much more!
]]>What makes drinking coffee great, anyway?
Well, morning coffee is great in that it wakes us up. After all, the caffeine in coffee is a stimulant. It helps make us alert and gives us better concentration and focus.
It also helps that studies show the different benefits of consuming coffee, such as reducing the risk of diseases like Parkinson’s and Type 2 Diabetes.
People who love indulging in a cup of coffee or two often debate what makes it taste the best. Good coffee has a nice smell, the right amount of sourness, a good feel in the mouth, and a great taste. Making the best coffee starts with picking the right coffee beans and ends with making it just right for your taste buds.
How do you do that?
Well, coffee can be roasted in different ways. For example, light roast coffee has a sharp taste and might remind you of flowers. Medium roast coffee is well-rounded, and dark roast coffee has a strong, smoky taste.
Simply put, you choose the roast level you like best. The right pick can make your coffee taste even better.
So why are coffees and pastries great together?
There’s a special kind of magic when you drink coffee while consuming a fresh pastry—ask any coffee drinker! It’s not known to be an unusual food combination that works; it just is. But why DO coffees pair well with them?
Well, here are a few reasons:
- Contrast of flavors: The bitterness of the coffee balances out the sweetness of many pastries, making each sip and bite a delightful play of taste.
- Texture play: The smoothness of coffee perfectly contrasts the flaky, crumbly, or chewy textures of different pastries.
- Temperature balance: A hot cup of coffee with a room temperature or even a cold pastry creates a pleasant temperature contrast in your mouth. It can also be cold brew coffee paired with a freshly baked pastry.
- Boosting tastes: Coffee can enhance certain flavors in pastries, like chocolate or nuts, making them taste even richer—and make for richer desserts!
- Satiety: The caffeine in coffee combined with the carbs and fats in pastries can give a satisfying feeling of fullness.
There can be more, but in short, coffee and pastries just feel right together!
But as we all know, there are different kinds of coffees and different kinds of pastries. So, what are some good pairings? Let’s get to the heart of this article, shall we?
Best Coffee and Pastry Pairings: Espresso and Chocolate Croissant
While the croissant has its roots in France—like the opera cake and the baguette—it’s a popular pastry option in many bakeries across the Philippines. And while plain croissants taste great, what would make them even better?
Giving them a chocolate flavor and drinking them with an espresso! The robustness of an espresso contrasts beautifully with the sweet, buttery layers interlaced with chocolate. You’re in for a good time with this dessert pairing.
Best Coffee and Pastry Pairings: Latte and Ensaymada
The fluffy and cheesy ensaymada—especially the one made by Chef Joey Prats—offers a sweet contrast to the creamy latte, whether it’s a hot or an iced latte. With this pair’s complementary flavors, you’ll enjoy a creamy delight in every bite.
Best Coffee and Pastry Pairings: Cappuccino and Butter Cake
Love the frothy and mild bitterness of a cappuccino? It will be made even better with a butter cake’s moist buttery goodness. The cappuccino’s fluffy top will cut right through the butter cake’s sweetness, making every sip and bite just right—a simple and enjoyable pairing.
Make sure to enroll in Chef Joey Prats’ Amazing Butter Cakes Master Class for the best butter cakes you can experience—make them in different flavors, too!
Best Coffee and Pastry Pairings: Americano and Spanish Bread
Fun fact: an Americano is simply black coffee that has been watered down. Why? Well, the Americans stationed in Italy back in World War II found that the Italian version of black coffee was too strong.
They requested their particular coffee to be weaker, which the Italians did, calling this version “Americano” to distinguish it from the Italian coffee. Cool, huh?
Anyway, the Americano is still pretty strong and is a great counterpart to the sweet butter and sugar filling of a Pinoy bakery favorite, the Spanish bread. Incidentally, it’s called Spanish bread, which is not Spanish at all—another fun fact!
You know what else is fun? Making Spanish bread using Chef Jimbo de Panadero’s recipe. Try it for yourself—you won’t regret it!
Best Coffee and Pastry Pairings: Cold Brew and Banana Loaf
Cold brew coffee stands out for its silky smoothness, thanks to a brewing process that extracts the gentle coffee bean flavors and leaves out the typical coffee bitterness. The coffee becomes light and refreshing.
This also makes it a good pair with a banana loaf, a soft and sweet bread that gives a comforting and slightly sweet taste. Try it out; you’ll appreciate the cold brew’s mellow notes seamlessly going with the banana loaf’s sweetness.
Best Coffee and Pastry Pairings: Flat White and Pandesal with Cheese
The pandesal is one of the most iconic breads in the Philippines. Heck, entire franchises have been built selling nothing but this bread! It’s also a favorite during breakfast and merienda, especially when eaten with cheese slices.
Want to make the experience even better? Do a food pairing: pandesal with cheese and a hot flat white! This drink’s creamy texture and subtle coffee notes enhance the taste of the pandesal, and its richness complements the saltiness of the cheese, creating a perfect balance.
Best Coffee and Pastry Pairings: Macchiato & Egg Pie
The macchiato is one of the most beloved coffee drinks, probably because of its hints of caramel. It’s strong but has a sweet side because of these caramel flavors. On the other hand, the Filipino egg pie is a soft dessert filled with creamy custard with a gentle sweetness.
And when you pair them, the caramel coffee flavoring makes the egg pie’s sweetness stand out more. At the same time, the creamy pie balances the strong coffee. In other words, the caramel undertones of a macchiato beautifully enhance the creamy custard filling of the traditional Filipino egg pie.
And, of course, for the best egg pie you can make and eat, check out Chef Jimbo’s Classic Filipino Egg Pie class!
Want to learn more about pastry and coffee pairings?
These are just some coffee pairings with Filipino food. Want to learn about pairing coffee with other desserts? Or get better at making coffee?
Well, you’re in luck with Chef Ely Salar’s newest online class: Artisanal Coffee and Pastry Pairing!
With this class, you can explore making artisanal coffee with an in-depth look at espresso-making, coffee fundamentals, and even machine calibration! You’ll be able to make all coffee cups a work of art.
Not only that; you’ll be able to make flavorful coffee, too, such as:
- Cappuccino
- Flat White
- Hot and Iced Americano
- Hot and Iced Lattè
- Hot and Iced Tablea Cafè Mocha
- Hot and Iced Matcha Specialty Drink
- Hot and Iced Spanish Lattè
You’ll also get a recipe for various irresistible mini-pound cakes for some irresistible coffee and dessert pairing. Whether you’re looking to start a food business, want to know more about coffee, or just indulge in better coffee, this class is for you!
So what are you waiting for? Sign up at The Bailiwick Academy and make leveled-up coffee and dessert pairings today!
Conclusion
Isn’t it great to know that our favorite Filipino treats and different kinds of coffees are a match made in heaven? From our loved pandesal to the sweet egg pie, there are different kinds of coffee out there that make them taste even better!
Of course, this list is far from conclusive. We encourage you to try new coffee and pastry pairings and find your favorite match. There are more out there—and not just with Filipino treats!
And if you’re curious to learn more and make your own great coffee at home, don’t forget to enroll in Chef Ely Salar’s class here at The Bailiwick Academy. Cheers to more delicious mornings and afternoons ahead, and see you in class!
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Keep coming back to The Bailiwick Academy blog for more kitchen and baking tips, tricks, and much more!
]]>Just to summarize things in a sentence: it’s super worth going to! His offerings are super delicious! They all make me want to forget any diets and just keep on eating!
I’m actually just glad that at The Bailiwick Academy, we have the opportunity to try out his recipes (access his classes – Sign up at The Bailiwick Academy!) for ourselves. Otherwise, I’d probably run out of money just buying his desserts!
Who is Chef Ely Salar?
Chef Ely is one of the instructors at The Bailiwick Academy.
His classes include Basic Chocolate Mirror Glazed Cake…
And what I believe in my opinion the best class, The Art of Chocolate. (Hey, I LOVE chocolates, so I’m kind of biased, okay?)
According to Alberta Filipino Journal, Chef Ely’s passion for baking started when he experienced working in his parents’ bakery and catering business in Tacloban.
“My fondest memory of the bakery is getting up at 3:00 am to make pandesal (a popular bread in the Philippines). Over the holidays, every day after church the community would gather at our bakery to pick up their pandesal and pastries. We would always sell out, but people would stay for the conversation.”
-Chef Ely Salazar (Hotel Arts)
He soon realized that baking was something he really wanted to do as a career. He took up Hotel and Restaurant Management, had an internship in Virginia, USA, and eventually worked in various countries as a food and beverage server, culinary operations supervisor, and even a manager.
However, as he related in an interview with FilCan Magazine, he didn’t enjoy it as much as working in the kitchen. His heart was still in the expression of making pastries.
And me (and I’m sure a lot of other people) are glad that he pursued this! Otherwise, we wouldn’t have his lessons and this physical store today.
Also, if he didn’t, we wouldn’t be treated to his creations that have been likened to pieces of jewelry. I felt a bit guilty when cutting into his creations – they’re that beautiful!
But after tasting them, I’m glad I did – they’re so good and very much award-winning!
Chef Ely Salar uses local chocolates.
One thing I also really admire about Chef Ely is that aside from his skill, he is really bent on promoting local chocolate. According to F&B Report, Chef Ely uses chocolate that is grown from his farm, Elfortunella.
Not only is he able to do quality control over the chocolate that he uses, he also helps chocolate farmers by buying their cacao. And with increasing orders for his products, he is also buying more from the farmers, which means more help for them.
Isn’t that great?
What is Patisserie Le Choux-Colat?
Patisserie Le Choux-Colat actually began as a pickup and delivery only store that Chef Ely and his wife Jiannina started during the pandemic. The name is a play on combining two of Chef Ely’s loves:
- The choux dough pastries he is well-known for
- The chocolate flavors that is often the base or the one that covers his pastry creations
The store gained a lot of attention quickly; have you seen their Instagram feed? It’s full of gorgeous treats that will make anyone take a second (and even third look!)
And as Spot.Ph says, the special thing about this restaurant is that it highlights local ingredients in plenty of the confections, and also features flavors that Filipinos love, in a French-pastry treatment. Cool, huh?
It was only in July that they finally opened a physical store in The Podium. While online, you can only buy the large cakes, in this physical store, you can now buy smaller portions and even enjoy drinks to go along with your treats!
How was my experience at Patisserie Le Choux-Colat?
Well, like I mentioned above, it was something my daughter and I really enjoyed!
We loved being able to see the chefs preparing the pastries, and of course, the pastries themselves. The way that they designed their store is so experiential.
And the confections themselves are the treat, of course. As much as I wanted to take a nice picture of them, someone couldn’t wait!
I found myself just enjoying the moment with my daughter, as well as our orders.
Treat yourself to this, especially if you have been working hard – you will not regret it!
In conclusion, try out Chef Ely Salar’s restaurant ASAP!
I have nothing else to say except that you should definitely go and try Patisserie Le Choux-Colat if you’re in the area. If not, schedule a visit! It’s definitely worth your time, whether you’re going alone, on a date, or even on a family day.
Patisserie Le Choux-Colat is on the second floor of The Podium. It operates during mall hours, meaning it’s open from Monday to Sunday, 10 AM to 10 PM. Check out their Facebook page for more information.
Satisfy your sweet tooth – visit them today!
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Keep coming back to The Bailiwick Academy blog for more kitchen tips, tricks, and much more!
P.S. Again, if you want to check out Chef Ely’s classes, sign up at The Bailiwick Academy today!
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