Serge the Concierge

C B S News: Butter once was a Luxury in Brittany, Kouign Amann means Butter Cake

February 14, 2010 by serge the concierge

C B S as in Caramel & Beurre Sale (Caramel made with Salty Butter), a specialty of Henri Le Roux.

Olivier Magny in Le Caramel au Beurre Sale (February 3) writes:

"When a Parisian reads “Caramel au beurre salé” on a dessert menu, he usually bursts with an irrepressible “Oh, caramel au beurre salé…’”. At this point, the odds for the Parisian to give in reach a peak. Salt miraculously washed sugar away, brushed off decadence. The Parisian is freed."

Funny how much history you can learn from a little book like Caramel & Beurre Sale (Cherche Midi, French only) by Henri Le Roux in collaboration with Benedict Beauge.

I never heard about many of the facts and traditions he shares with us even though I was born in Brittany and grew up there.

Since I never learned or spoke Breton, I did not know that a favorite, Kouign Amann means butter cake.

Amann is the Breton word for butter if I'm not mistaken.

For most of us, it is hard to imagine a time when butter was a luxury.

I will share more of Henri Le Roux secrets and knowledge of local history in an interview with the C B S man within the next few weeks.

Posted on February 14, 2010 in Books, Consumer Products, Food and Drink, Gift Ideas, Personal Organizer, Serge the Concierge, To Do Lists, Travel, Weblogs | Permalink | Comments (0)

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