In general, firsts tend to be important: First impressions, first loves, first trips—and when it comes to food, this rule is no exception. Hence, the importance of breakfast, the first meal of the day. Just ask Karl Lagerfeld, who once ascertained, “The first thing I do when I get up, I have breakfast.” It’s a boost to the mood, it’s a boost to the metabolism, and in the land of Chanel and coco-chaud, no one does breakfast better than the French. The croissant, so famous in its inception that it can be found singularly around the world, stands sturdy as the Eiffel Tower as a flaky, buttery testament to how delicious that first meal of the day is in France. So whether you adore your petit déjeuner in bed, on the go, or at a restaurant, the magic of a pain au chocolat is undeniable. It’s time to rise and shine à la française! Below, famed pastry chef at Le Meurice and a Parisian to boot, Cédric Grolet, breaks down a few myths and shares his insider mouthwatering tips on everything breakfast, from chocolat chaud to gaufres au chocolat. Bonjour!
Is it true that every Parisian drinks coffee in the morning?Well, it depends. I am Parisian and I never drink coffee in the morning since I am personally not a huge fan of coffee. But it is very true that in France, and above all, in Paris, a lot of people start their day with coffee.
What is the most popular type of coffee in Paris? Allongé? Espresso?In my opinion, it’s espresso.
For non-coffee drinkers, what is your favorite breakfast beverage for gaining energy?I like to mix it up. On the weekend, I love having a chocolat chaud—it reminds me a bit of my childhood and some very sweet memories. During the week, I like a fresh orange juice with some added-in ginger for a nice energy boost.
What is your favorite breakfast viennoiserie?My favorite breakfast viennoiserie is the croissant. In fact, I am very attached to all of the classically French and Parisian viennoiseries—I love anything that has to do with croissants, pain au chocolat, pain aux raisins, brioche, rolls—all of that is extremely good.
What is your ideal breakfast?A chocolat chaud with a fluffy croissant, and on the side an orange juice with ginger added in—give me that and I’m happy.
Is it true that French people start their day with a croissant? Or is this only a weekend tradition?Well, I think in Paris a lot of people do pick up a viennoiserie in the morning (such as a croissant or a pain au chocolat). However, not necessarily everyone has time to do this because la vie Parisienne moves at a very fast pace during the week. However, on the weekend, we adore a good brunch with coffee, chocolat chaud, tea, and a great basket of viennoiseries and jam to accompany it.
When it comes to the proper degustation of a croissant, what is the most Parisian way to go about things? Any Nutella involved? Jam? Au naturel?Well, what I really love is to cut open a little croissant and eat it pur. When you eat a good-quality croissant, it is so good that you don’t even really need jam or anything else with it. In my opinion, using jam is more of a weekend delight.
Is a baguette more of a daily breakfast option?Yes. The baguette is definitely classically French. The best way to eat it is to cut it in two, add some butter and jam—and a little chocolat chaud, too. It’s great.
Dining and Cooking