There are a few things that people travelling abroad commonly joke about. Among them is what staple food to expect in the destination. Understandably, every person may ask, what do people eat in Denmark that makes it among the happiest countries? Nobody wants to imagine that Denmark is like the stereotype that people pass on Chinese as “eating everything.” But to set the pace, just find calmness in the fact that in Denmark people don’t eat everything, they eat some things. Top among those things that the Danish relish is wheat products-which makes bakeries their darling.
Without overemphasis, Denmark is a beautiful country as manifested in the plenty things to do or even see. Simply put, there is far much more beyond the city boundaries. Many things in life means a lot to the Danes. They are lovers of adventure, socialising, cooking, and family is the most important aspect of their lives other than career.
But nothing can beat their love for bakeries and pastries as traditionally known to them. Bread is a meal that never misses in a Danish home. If in Africa the scarcity of yam or corn flour signifies famine, then the equivalent of that in Denmark is lack of bread of closure of bakeries. It just gets that serious when talking about bakeries and bread. They say that the Danish pastry was a mistake that conquered the world. You will see long meandering queues in the morning and wonder why. Sorry, you’re stark wrong. It is the Danes waiting patiently for their turn to pick their relished Rugbrød or any other baked stuff for breakfast.
There is also nothing quite soothing and comforting other than a cup of hot coffee and a slice of delicious kringle. Denmark is also popularly known for its local pastries. It is not easy to find a visitor undecided about either having a bite of Kringle, a piece of dream cake, a wienerbrod or even kanelsnegle. All I can say is that the Danish pastries are exquisite and mouth-watering.
Danish Pastry
A Danish pastry commonly called Wienerbrod is multi-layered. This type of bread is formed from thinned layers of dough stuck together. It is sweet and made in the viennoiserie tradition, a concept that was brought by the Austrian bakers into Denmark.
It was the recipe from Vienna that was partly altered to accommodate the liking of the Danes. This technique is what has since then become a Danish speciality. The Danish pastry is something that was brought by exotics and has since remained to be a revolving sweetness without measure in Denmark.
The composition is basically yeast for leavened dough or wheat flour alongside some eggs, milk, and sugar. In addition, there is a large quantity of butter or margarine in it. Butter is the only traditional fat used in Danish pastry.
Danish pastry is however presented in different shapes and names. While others are topped in icing, chocolate, or pearl sugar, others are stuffed with various ingredients like preserves or jam. It comes in various shapes like spirals with fillings in the middle or the kringles in the pretzel shapes.
Looking A Little into the History and Tradition of Danish Bakery
Many stories are attached to the origin of the Danish pastry taste. But, nothing beats what story I want to share with you. Yes, the origin of Danish pastry dates back to 1850 and is often attributed to the bakery workers’ strike in Denmark in that year. The 1850 bakery strike in Denmark forced the bakery owners to hire international workers.
Among the workers from abroad were the Austrian bakers who brought forth their baking recipes and traditions. It was until then that the Austrian pastry of Plundergeback became very famous in Denmark.
After resolving the labour disputes of the Danish bakery workers, the workers came back and started adopting the Austrian recipes. They adjusted the Austrian recipe and pastry tradition to their Danish ones as per their liking.
The end result was the famous Danish pastry that has remained in existence till date. Speaking of the baking techniques and traditions brought along by the Austrians, we have the Viennese lamination technique. From such ideology and techniques, the famous “wienerbrod” known as Vienna bread emerged.
The love for baked wheat products in Denmark
The common names that were formed during this transition period in 1850 are still being used in northern Europe to date. It was during this time that all baked foods in Denmark were given foreign names. Just as their equal approach to almost everything they do and love, the Danes approach baking the same way.
The idea is to always have the most delicious and authentic taste that is loved by everyone, even visitors. Once you have a bite of the Danish pastries, I am confident that you and your family will want to make it a tradition. It is always one Kringle at a time. And the fourth generation in Denmark is just as determined to make the highest qualities to meet their cultural expectation.
Denmark is a country where most people would easily not compromise the kinds of foods they eat and the culture of random eating is also absent. The Danes look at food in many ways from the taste, aesthetics to the associated health issues. Their pastry has nearly become all things to everyone.
Whenever you are and wish to order the Danish pastry, all you have to say is just “Danish” and you will have it. I mean everyone knows it as it is way lighter and more elegant.
What Pastry Means to the Danes
There is no single party and not even a leisurely Sunday breakfast that goes without bread. Pastry is a must call for breakfast and it is mostly referred to as Viennese by the Danes. It is more presented and carried along like the Danish flag that is displayed every time there is a celebration.
Danish pastry is present in different countries kike UK, Sweden, and US. It is the pride of the Danes given the fact that there are several Danish pastries in bakeries in Denmark. Each morning, the bakeries have their workers handcrafting the battery Danish pastries.
Every kringle made is filled with the highest level of love and quality. From the gourmet fillings of fancy pecans and locally produced cherries and Wisconsin. These are then baked to perfection ready to share with family and friends.
The Danes are extremely proud of their bakeries and are committed to sharing the same honoured recipes used in their bakeries. Most families in Denmark bake not because it is a must but they do so because it is a passion. The passion still exists today and I am glad that they are always willing to share with each and everyone.
