French Pastry
Glossary & Guide

Master the art of Premium pastry pronunciation and discover the stories behind each delicious creation

Explore the Glossary

Your Guide to Premium French Pastries

From the elegant croissant to the delicate macaron, Premium pastries are works of art with rich histories and precise techniques. Learn to pronounce them correctly, understand their origins, and discover perfect pairings at Paris Baguette Eglinton.

ℹ️ Information Purpose: The menu items and decoration styles described in this glossary are for information and inspiration purposes. Paris Baguette Eglinton may or may not offer the same menu items or decoration options described here.

A B C D É F G M P S T

Starting with "A"

Easy

Amandine

Pronunciation: [ah-mahn-DEEN]

A delicate almond cake traditionally made with ground almonds, butter, and eggs. Originally from the Normandy region, this pastry celebrates the French love affair with almonds that began in the 18th century.

☕ Espresso 🍃 Earl Grey Tea 🥛 Café au Lait

Perfect For: Afternoon tea, brunch gatherings, elegant dessert course

Intermediate

Aubette

Pronunciation: [oh-BEHT]

A traditional Premium pastry with a flaky, buttery crust filled with seasonal fruits or custard. The name derives from the French word for "dawn," representing the early morning baking tradition in French patisseries.

☕ French Roast Coffee 🍃 Chamomile Tea 🥃 Port Wine

Perfect For: Special occasions, wine pairings, sophisticated dessert presentations

Starting with "C"

Easy

Croissant

Pronunciation: [krwah-SAHN]

The iconic crescent-shaped pastry made with laminated dough, butter, and precise folding techniques. Despite popular belief, croissants originated in Austria and were perfected in France during the 19th century, becoming a symbol of French breakfast culture.

☕ Café Crème 🫖 Black Tea 🥛 Hot Chocolate

Perfect For: Breakfast, brunch, quick coffee breaks, business meetings

Advanced

Croquembouche

Pronunciation: [krok-ahn-BOOSH]

A dramatic tower of choux pastry balls bound with caramel, traditionally served at French weddings. Created by renowned chef Antonin Carême in the early 1800s, it literally means "crunch in the mouth" and symbolizes prosperity and celebration.

🥂 Champagne 🍃 Jasmine Tea ☕ Espresso

Perfect For: Weddings, celebrations, special events, impressive centerpieces

Intermediate

Choux

Pronunciation: [shoo]

A light pastry dough used as the base for éclairs, profiteroles, and cream puffs. Named after the French word for "cabbage" due to its rounded shape, this technique dates back to Renaissance Italy but was perfected in 17th-century France.

☕ Cappuccino 🍃 Green Tea 🥛 Cold Milk

Perfect For: Afternoon treats, party desserts, elegant presentations

Starting with "É"

Intermediate

Éclair

Pronunciation: [eh-KLAIR]

An oblong choux pastry filled with cream and topped with fondant icing. The name means "lightning" in French, possibly referring to how quickly they disappear or the shiny glaze that reflects light. First documented in 19th-century French cookbooks.

☕ French Vanilla Coffee 🍃 Earl Grey 🥛 Café au Lait

Perfect For: Sophisticated afternoon treats, special occasions, elegant dessert buffets

Starting with "M"

Advanced

Macaron

Pronunciation: [mah-kah-ROHN]

Delicate sandwich cookies made with almond flour, egg whites, and precise technique. Originally from Italy, macarons were refined in France and popularized by Ladurée in the 20th century. Each color represents different flavors and occasions.

🍃 Light Tea 🥂 Champagne ☕ Mild Coffee

Perfect For: Gift boxes, wedding favors, luxury experiences, afternoon tea

Intermediate

Mille-feuille

Pronunciation: [meel-FUHY]

Also known as Napoleon, this pastry features layers of puff pastry alternated with pastry cream. The name means "thousand leaves," referring to the many flaky layers. This classic technique showcases the French mastery of laminated dough.

☕ Strong Coffee 🍃 Black Tea 🥃 Cognac

Perfect For: Special desserts, formal dining, showcase presentations

Starting with "P"

Easy

Pain au Chocolat

Pronunciation: [pan oh shoh-koh-LAH]

A rectangular croissant-like pastry with chocolate batons inside. Known as "chocolatine" in southwestern France, this beloved breakfast pastry represents the perfect marriage of buttery laminated dough and quality dark chocolate.

☕ Espresso 🥛 Hot Chocolate 🍃 English Breakfast

Perfect For: Morning treats, school lunches, coffee shop visits, comfort food

Intermediate

Profiterole

Pronunciation: [proh-fee-teh-ROHL]

Small choux pastry balls filled with cream and often served with chocolate sauce. The name comes from the French verb "profiter," meaning "to profit" or benefit, as these treats were considered a profitable delight for both baker and customer.

🍃 Vanilla Tea 🥛 Café Crème 🍨 Ice Cream

Perfect For: Dessert courses, children's treats, casual entertaining

Starting with "T"

Intermediate

Tarte Tatin

Pronunciation: [tart tah-TAN]

An upside-down apple tart created by accident at the Hôtel Tatin in the 1880s. The caramelized apples on top and flaky pastry bottom create a rustic yet elegant dessert that embodies French countryside cooking.

🍃 Cinnamon Tea 🥃 Calvados ☕ Medium Roast Coffee

Perfect For: Autumn menus, comfort desserts, rustic presentations, warm service

Master the Art of French Pastry

🎯 Pronunciation Tips

  • • French "R" is rolled gently in the throat
  • • Silent final consonants (except C, F, L, R)
  • • Nasal sounds for "an," "en," "in," "on"
  • • Stress usually falls on the final syllable

🏛️ Historical Context

  • • Many pastries originated in monasteries
  • • Guild system ensured quality standards
  • • French Revolution democratized pastries
  • • Industrial age enabled mass production

☕ Pairing Principles

  • • Light pastries pair with delicate teas
  • • Rich pastries complement strong coffee
  • • Fruit tarts enhance floral teas
  • • Chocolate pastries love robust drinks

Experience Authentic French Pastries in Toronto

Now that you've learned about these exquisite French pastries, come taste the authentic versions at Paris Baguette Eglinton. Our master bakers use traditional techniques and premium ingredients to create pastries that would make any Parisian proud.

🏪 Visit Our Bakery

Paris Baguette Eglinton
2401 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4P 3H1
Open daily 6AM-10PM
Steps from Eglinton Subway Station

🎓 Try Our Recommendations

  • • Start with classic croissants and pain au chocolat
  • • Try our seasonal macaron flavors
  • • Ask about our daily fresh éclair selection
  • • Perfect your pronunciation with our friendly staff!