Who doesn't love a fresh, crispy pastry with a warm cup of coffee? Whether you like to grab one on your way to work or take your time and savour the experience at the weekend, a fresh pastry is a real treat that's hard to beat. Now, once you've sought out the best pastries your neighbourhood has to offer, do you really have to worry about whether you accompany it with a rich espresso or creamy latte? Absolutely! Coffee is a complex drink that has the ability to enhance or overpower the scrummy flavours of your favourite pastry, so don't let a bad pairing leave you with a bitter taste in your mouth. Here's an overview of three popular pastries and the type of coffee you should order to go alongside them:
Pain Au Chocolat
This yeast-leavened pastry is filled with dark chocolate and best enjoyed slightly warm so the chocolate is just beginning to melt. The dark chocolate makes this an ideal pastry for those who aren't fond of overly sweet treats. When choosing a coffee to enjoy with your pain au chocolat, opt for something creamy such as a latte or cappuccino to balance the slightly bitter chocolate. Beans with a rounded flavour and fruity notes are ideal.
Almond Croissant
The almond paste filling in these croissants has a similar taste to marzipan but with a coarser texture. The filling is sweet, so a rich coffee is an ideal accompaniment. Opt for a dark roast americano or iced black coffee made with beans that have notes of molasses, tree nuts or cinnamon. Beans from Puerto Rico and Cost Rica tend to have these taste characteristics.
Fresh Cream Éclair
This classic French pastry is made with light choux dough filled with whipped cream and topped with a thin layer of chocolate fondant. It's a decadent pastry that's both sweet and rich, so enjoy it with a strong espresso or macchiato, which is one part espresso and one part foamed milk. Beans with caramel or spice notes will complement the fresh whipped cream that makes Éclairs such a treat.
When selecting the perfect coffee, the key is to opt for a brew that will balance the flavours of your chosen pastry. For example, a strong, full-bodied coffee with slight spicy notes pairs well with a sweet cinnamon swirl, but a mocha would simply pile more sweetness on top of an already sweet pastry, despite it containing a shot of espresso. Not sure if your favourite coffee will work with your chosen pastry? Why not treat yourself to a selection of pastries and experiment until you find your perfect combination.
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