Person holding a croissantA ham and cheese croissant
The croissant is a type of bread shaped like a crescent moon. It is usually eaten for breakfast in various countries. It can be called a crescent[1] or a crescent roll. Although a crescent roll may be smaller.[2] It is made of a variant of puff pastry. A croissant can be eaten with savory or sweet fillings. This was first invented in France.
History
Breads shaped like crescents have been around since the Medieval times. Before the croissant, there was a version of the croissant called a "feteer meshaltet". It came from Egypt. Many years later, a crescent-shaped version of feteer meshaltet was made. It was called "feteer halali" (crescent feteer). The feteer halali became popular throughout Europe, especially France. Later, feteer halali became known as a croissant.[3][4][5]
Croissants used to be only available to aristocrats. Marie Antoinette is believed to have introduced it to the French elites.[6] Now they are available in many supermarkets.
↑Williamson, Charles Norris (1906). Rosemary: A Christmas Story. A.L. Burt. p. 43. On a small table at her side a tray had been left, with the remains of dejeuner; a jug stained brown with streaks of coffee; a crumbled crescent roll...
