French Baguettes: A Guide
The baguette is more than just a delicious treat: it’s an essential part of your French persona. If you can’t carry Hermès, carry a baguette under your arm for instant Frenchie-cred.
“How can a nation be called great if its bread tastes like Kleenex?” ― Julia Child
Two Types of Baguette
There are really only 2 types of baguette (bag-EHT) you need to know about: une baguette parisienne (pahr-ee-zee-EHN) and une baguette de tradition (trah-dee-see-ON). Most vendors in Denver wont use this language, but it’s still useful to know the difference.
A baguette parisienne is my favorite type of baguette. It has a crispy exterior and a soft, white interior. The ends are rounded.
A baguette de tradition can only be made from only four ingredients (flour, leavening, water, and salt) per a 1993 French law. The baguette is often characterized by pointed ends and French bakeries spend a lot of time perfecting their recipe.
You’ll mostly find a baguette de tradition when in Denver bakeries, so look out for those distinctive pointed ends!
How To Pick Out A Good Baguette
– Look for a baguette that is sturdy rather than light for its size – Avoid braille-like dots on the bottom (that’s a sign of an industrial baked baguette) – Choose a baguette with uneven color on the crust (it’s a sign that the baguette was baked by hand) – The inside of a good baguette will have irregular holes when torn (as opposed to a flat surface full of tiny, regular holes) – A quality baguette should smell slightly like apricot
Where To Find A Good Baguette In Denver
Le Trompeau (Trompeau Bakery) 2950 S Broadway Englewood, CO 80113 (303) 777-7222
Marczyk’s Fine Foods 770 E. 17th Ave. Denver, CO 80203 (303) 894-9499
Grateful Bread Company* 425 Violet Street Golden, CO 80401
Babettes Artisan Bread at The Source 3350 N. Brighton Blvd. Suite 40, Denver, Colorado 80216
*Grateful Bread Company only offers retail sales one day a month, but you can sample their delicious baguettes at Z Cuisine or at Le Jardin Secret chef’s market)
