Baguette Buyer Beware!

Hello Foodies,

French bread is world renowned for its crusty lightness and yummy taste. Can't wait to bite into that first baguette that you buy in the bakery? According to my French friend, Camille, buyer beware! For years, the price of bread has been monitored and controlled in France, so the price is usually around 0.90 Euros in bakeries and 0.45 in supermarkets. Lots of bakers have turned to using cheap ingredients to keep their costs down in these difficult economic times. So, you may not get the crustiness you're expecting at the boulangerie in France.

Of course, when you're in France, it's only natural to crave some of that ever-so-French fresh bread - how can you not? But how do you know if you're getting the best? When you walk into the boulangerie, have no fear. You'll get the best baguette or loaf of bread if you know how to ask for it - in the true French spirit.

My favorite boulangerie/patisserie in Paris? The bakery of Veronique Mauclerc. You'll never go wrong chez Veronique - everything is way above standards. See her addresses below.

A recent article in Afar magazine gave a list of suggestions on bakery etiquette and ordering.

Here are ten tips to know when ordering chez la boulangere. Bon appetit!

1. On entering, greet the salesperson with “Bonjour madame,” or “Bonjour monsieur,” and make eye contact.

2. Pay with coins – or small-denomination notes – unless you’re spending 20 euros or more.

3. Specify sliced or not sliced: tranché or pas tranché.

4. If you’re eating alone, ask for a half-size, demi baguette.

5. Depending on your preference, ask for a baguette that’s bien cuite (well cooked and crusty) orpas bien cuite (soft and slightly doughy on the inside).

6. Whole grain bread, tourtes (meat pies) and miches (round while loaves) are often sold by weight, so you can either specify a quantity in grams or simple ask for une demi (half) or un quart (quarter).

7. Ask the baker which bread is their specialty: "comment s'appelle votre baguette speciale?' Their special bread may cost a little more, but it will be worth every centime.

8. Ask for pains bio (organic loaves). which are increasingly common.

9. Those with gluten intolerance can ask for pain sans gluten.

10. End your visit with “Merci, au revoir. Bonne journée!”

Here's the addresses so you can visit too:

La Pâtisserie par Véronique Mauclerc
11 rue Poncelet
75017 Paris
Mardi au samedi : 9h30-19h30
Dimanche : 9h-13h

Fermé le lundi
La Boulangerie par Véronique Mauclerc
83 rue de Crimée
75019 Paris
Lundi : 9h-20h
Mercredi au dimanche : 8h-20h
Fermé le mardi

Thanks to Afar Magazine for this information!

Enjoy,

Kathy