[:en]Beignets in Houston are delicious and easy to find now, but where did they come from? What’s their history?

Beignet is pronounced ben-YAY

Fun Facts About Beignets

If you have never had a beignet in Houston, you have got to try one! They’re warm and delicious!

Beignets – Square donuts with dough that is deep-fried and coated in powdered sugar.

• Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana
• Official state doughnut of Louisiana
• Beignets are usually fried in oils with a high “smoke point“
• Traditionally enjoyed with cafe au lait, dark roast coffee with chicory and steamed milk
• Classified as a choux pastry dish

Beignets Around the World

Deep frying food has been a way of life for people all over the world for many decades, and even dates back to 5th century BC. There are several kinds of beignets, though, depending on the part of the world you’re in.

Houston Beignets – The ones you see here in the city of Houston are the French-style deep-fried choux pastry, covered in sugar. In Canada, the word “beignet” is also used to refer to donuts of any type, and can also be spelled “beigne.”

French-Style – Though typically filled with fruit or jam, they can also be filled with meat, cheese, potatoes, or seafood.

Boules de Berlin – Yeast pastry is another way to make beignets. These are typically sphere-shaped and filled with fruit or jam.

Corsica Fritelli – In Corsica, these donuts are made with chestnut flour and referred to as Beignets de farine de châtaigne.

The Best Beignets Houston Has to Offer: Where They Came From

Early French settlers brought beignets overseas with them when they migrated to Acadia on the eastern Canadian coast in the 17th century. The dessert’s French influences reached the region of New Orleans in the 18th century.

According to New Orleans newspaper The Picayune, published in 1902:

The ancient French colonists brought the custom of serving sweet entrements and eatres, such as Beignets, Compotes, Souffles, Gelees, etc., from the old mother country to Louisiana.  The Creoles applied these to the various delightful and refreshing fruits, which abound in Louisiana . . . The custom of serving these sweet entrements spread from New Orleans to other portions of the United States, ’til now no fastidious chef would think of keeping a fashionable hotel or restaurant without including some of these in the daily bill of fare.

The Famous Cafe du Monde

Cafe du Monde opened in 1862 in the New Orleans French Market. Their cafe au lait and beignets quickly became famous, and lines to purchase these treats grew longer and longer over the years. This NOLA landmark is still open 24/7 and serves beignets in sets of three.

In 1928, a tourist bribed Cafe du Monde’s Louis Gillette $250 for their famous beignets recipe, but he refused to tell the secret.

Check out the video from their website below:

[youtube embed=”RrH213yE1h4″ autoplay=”0″ mute=”0″]

Get the Best Beignets in Houston at Shipley Do-Nuts!

Eager for more history lessons? Click here to learn about the history of Shipley Do-Nuts. For the best beignets Houston has to offer, order now from Shipley Do-Nuts. You can order online instantly for yourself, your friends, or your office! It’s easy. Just click the button below to start your order. Shipley Do-Nuts beignets are always made-to-order, so they are always hot & fresh. We serve them the traditional way, covered with fine powdered sugar. You can also order them rolled in cinnamon-sugar, granulated sugar, with a side of honey, or naked.

Order Online Now!

The History of Beignets – Houston | Shipley Do-Nuts[:]