History of Canele
Canele is a small baked pastry originating from Bordeaux, France. Its origins are said to have begun in a convent in Bordeaux in the 18th century. At that time, egg whites left over from the wine-making process were used to make food for the poor, and it is known that caneles were created by adding flour, rum, and vanilla to them. Initially, it was called 'Canaulé', which originated from the Gascon dialect meaning 'grooved'. After the French Revolution, as the convents closed, the canele seemed to be gradually forgotten. However, in the early 20th century, a pastry shop in Bordeaux rediscovered the canele and developed it into the canele we know today by baking it using brass molds. The canele has gained popularity beyond France and around the world, and is especially loved in Korea for its unique texture and luxurious flavor. You can find caneles in various cafes and bakeries, and the number of people making their own caneles through home baking is also increasing.
How to Make It
To make caneles, you need some essential ingredients. Milk, sugar, flour, egg yolks, rum, and vanilla beans are typical. In particular, the quality of rum and vanilla beans is important for the unique flavor of the canele. First, boil milk with sugar and vanilla beans to fully extract the vanilla flavor. Then, mix sifted flour and egg yolks to make a dough. Slowly pour the boiled milk into the dough, stirring well to avoid lumps. Finally, add rum and refrigerate for at least 24 hours. Before pouring the aged dough into the brass mold, you must carefully apply beeswax to the mold. Beeswax plays an important role in creating the crispy texture of the canele's surface. Fill the mold about 80% with dough and bake in a preheated oven at 200-220 degrees Celsius for about 50 minutes to 1 hour. Be careful not to burn the surface while baking, and it is complete when the surface turns caramel color and the inside is moist. To successfully make caneles, the aging time of the dough, beeswax coating, and oven temperature control are important.
The Allure of Canele
The greatest charm of caneles comes from the perfect harmony of crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. The texture of the crispy caramel-like surface and the moist custard-like interior leaves a strong impression that you can't forget once you taste it. The moment you put it in your mouth, the crispy crust breaks and the sweet caramel scent spreads, followed by a soft and moist custard filling that fills your mouth. The subtle aroma of rum and vanilla beans deepens the flavor of the canele. The canele is more than just a dessert, it is like a work of art. The elaborately made shape and beautiful colors provide visual pleasure, and the diverse tastes and aromas that fill your mouth provide gustatory satisfaction. People are fascinated by the unique texture and luxurious flavor of caneles and look for them to commemorate special days or to feel small happiness in their daily lives. In addition, caneles are the perfect dessert to enjoy with coffee or tea. When you taste a canele with a warm cup of coffee, the bitter taste of the coffee and the sweet taste of the canele harmoniously blend together to create an even richer taste.
Modern Variations and Trends
Caneles are trying various modern variations based on traditional recipes. Fusion caneles with added various flavors such as chocolate, green tea, and Earl Grey are appearing, and caneles with colorful toppings on the surface are also gaining popularity. In particular, as the beautiful visuals of caneles have spread widely through social media, caneles have become a trendy item that stimulates 'Instagram sensibility' among the younger generation, beyond just a simple dessert. Various cafes and bakeries are attracting consumers' attention by presenting caneles with their own personality. Recently, caneles for health-conscious consumers, such as vegan caneles and gluten-free caneles, have also been released. These caneles are made using plant-based ingredients or alternative ingredients without using dairy products or flour, and are popular among people looking for healthy and delicious desserts. In addition, canele kits have been released, making it easy to make caneles at home. These kits are receiving a good response from people who want to make caneles themselves, and are expected to become more popular with the home baking trend.
Restaurant Recommendations
There are numerous canele restaurants in Bordeaux, France, the home of caneles. Among them, 'Bordick' is a traditional canele specialty store that has been passed down for four generations since 1890, and boasts a long history and tradition. Here, you can taste caneles made using the finest ingredients while adhering to traditional recipes. In addition, 'La Toque Cuivrée' is a famous canele store with chain stores throughout Bordeaux. Here, you can enjoy caneles of various sizes and flavors at affordable prices, and they are also good for gifts. In Korea, there are many places where you can taste caneles of excellent quality. 'Maison M.O', located in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, is run by a French patissier, where you can taste authentic French caneles. The caneles here are crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, with an excellent flavor of rum and vanilla beans. In addition, 'Tertre Rôtie', located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, is loved by many people for its unique texture of caneles that are hard on the outside and chewy on the inside. In addition to these, various cafes and bakeries sell caneles with their own personality, so it would be a good experience to find caneles that suit your taste.
Conclusion
Caneles are more than just a dessert, they are a special existence that contains the history and culture of France. The unique texture of being crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, the subtle aroma of rum and vanilla beans, and the beautiful visuals provide an unforgettable experience for those who taste caneles. Caneles have become a dessert loved around the world beyond France, and are constantly showing new appearances through modern variations. In Korea, caneles are loved by many people and can be found in various cafes and bakeries. Today, why not taste a canele with a warm cup of coffee and feel the history and culture of France? The story hidden behind the sweetness of caneles will make your day even richer. Caneles are not just a snack, but a magical existence that provides small happiness. In the future, caneles will not lose their charm and will remain a dessert loved by many people for a long time.