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As French artisan bakeries have grown more commonplace in India, they are starting to have an effect on Indian cuisine. Because of wider trends in globalisation, lifestyle changes, and the availability of disposable wealth among the new middle class, who prefer international food over localized, French-style bakeries, they are becoming increasingly popular in India's major areas.
The Indian cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Pune have recently seen an influx of bakeries that focus on making artisan bread, croissants, tartes, viennoiserie, etc., using authentic French techniques. In addition to metropolitan regions, artisan bakery experiences are increasingly being included in the organised culinary itineraries of food festivals, heritage tourist trails, and food trails.
It's all fun and delicious while gorging on our 15th madeleine, but it is more interesting to dive into the different terms of French bakeries—boulangeries and patisseries.
Boulangerie vs. Patisserie—what's the difference?
The French culinary traditions, which significantly influence Swiss cuisine, would be incomplete without the inclusion of pâtisserie, boulangerie, and viennoiserie. These words describe different parts of the pastry and bread-making arts, providing a wealth of savoury and sweet treats. To truly savour these delectable treats, one must be familiar with the distinction between boulangerie, pâtisserie, and viennoiserie.
Pastry baking is an art form known as pâtisserie. Desserts, pies, cakes, and other sweets fall under this category. Pâtisserie is an essential component of French cuisine, esteemed for its artistry and skill, and known for its intricate methods, sophisticated flavours, and breathtaking displays.
Breadmaking is an art form known as boulangerie. Breads such as sourdough, rye loaves, baguettes, and croissants are sold at boulangeries, which are bakeries that focus on making bread from scratch. French bakers use time-honoured techniques and premium ingredients to make delicious, crusty bread, an art form with deep roots in French culture and skill. Boulangeries can be found all over France, serving both locals and visitors with their daily bread fix.
The best French bakeries in India that you must try
Laduree, Delhi
Located on three stories in the middle of Khan Market, this is the first Indian outlet of the Parisian macaron specialist Ladurée! Pastries, viennoiseries, teacakes, and twelve macaron flavours are showcased on the ground level. One of the brand's signatures, Ispahan, is a pink macaron topped with rose petal cream, raspberries, and lychees. Infused with honey and ranging in texture from soft to crispy, the Medovik pastry takes its cues from Russian honey cake and pairs nicely with a robust slug of espresso. Despite the oppressive humidity in Delhi, their trademark macarons are flawless, with the ideal combination of crunch and chewiness. From decadent chocolate and caramel to fragrant citrus and floral notes reminiscent of perfume, the flavours are endless.
Paul, Bengaluru
Paul, a French brand of artisanal breads and cafés, has reached a major milestone in its development into India with the formal opening of its first location in Bengaluru. Since its founding in 1889, PAUL has expanded into 57 countries, continuing a tradition of French baking excellence that dates back 137 years. The eighth store for the company in India is situated in Orion Gateway Mall in Bengaluru. The menu offers a mix of European favourites like Napoletana pizzas, artisanal pastas, fresh salads, and gourmet sandwiches with French staples like croque monsieur, quiche Lorraine, canelés, and pain au chocolat. The finest ingredients, sourced from reliable international and domestic suppliers, go into every one of our products.
Suzette Bakery, Mumbai
Located between Suzette's creperie and Suzette's Kitchen Garden, this French bakery serves a delightful combination of nutritious and filling dishes. Their vegan carrot cake or whole-grain rye and emmer loaf are great options for people on a diet, while their chorizo cheddar baguette buns and creamy Spanish ham and Emmenthal quiche satisfy carb cravings.
Amande, Bengaluru
The Macaron serves as inspiration for Amandé Patisserie, the first of its sort in Bangalore. The finest ingredients, acquired from all over the globe, go into making Amandé macarons. This French bakery's macarons are a melting pot of international flavours, where you may indulge in chocolates from Belgium, cream from France, almonds from the US, and nuts from Italy.
Patisserie by Franziska, Kolkata
The modest white shop owned by the German lady, Franziska Marie, serves up the city's finest European pastries and coffee while staying true to its identity. Delightful pastries such as eclairs, tarts, macarons, tea cakes, cheesecakes, gateaux, and cookies are available at this establishment. Using only the finest, freshest ingredients, Franziska painstakingly avoids using any artificial flavours or preservatives in her delectable sweets. Moreover, her macarons do not contain any gluten. Two must-try desserts at Franziska's are the vanilla eclair and the Belgian dark chocolate tart. The former is incredibly rich with vanilla flavour, and the latter is crafted with 70% dark Belgian chocolate from Europe.
Before you leave, check out Pooja Dhingra's latest love letter to Paris with her new cafe-
