This post highlights the work required of my SA 202: Introduction to Anthropology students. Students were given the opportunity to research and identify an example of cultural appropriation and explain how the cultural elements could be appreciated instead. Several students were given the opportunity to have their exemplary work featured on the blog, and the students who provided permission have their work featured here in this and the following blog posts. Please show your appreciation for their work through the comments.
Photograph of a Croissant (Google Images)
By: Francesca Tucci-Haack
A lot of people around the world think that the “croissant” is French but it was invented in Vienna, Austria. In 1683, the Austrian army won against the Ottoman Turks and to celebrate their victory, they created the croissant, whose “shape evokes the symbol of the Ottoman flag” (CNBPF*, Google Arts & Culture). Its original name is the “kipferl” and is believed to be made for the first time in the 13th century. The Austrian archduchess Marie-Antoinette introduced it in France after marrying the king Louis XVI in 1770 (because she didn’t like French food). The croissant was popularized in the 1830s with the installation of a Viennese bakery in Paris founded by the Austrian August Zang, which sold Austrian pastries. It became a success very quickly. But in 1915, Sylvain Claudius Goy made the first French version of the croissant by using a “laminated yeast dough” (Marissa Xiong, ICE**) instead of a brioche dough.
By definition, cultural appropriation “takes place when members of a majority group adopt cultural elements of a minority group in an exploitative, disrespectful, or stereotypical way” (Encyclopaedia Britannica, art. cultural appropriation). In the case of the croissant, French people adopted an Austrian cultural element and decided to promote it as a French pastry. Indeed, the French government even named it as “the national French product in 1920” (Marissa Xiong, ICE). Over the years, the croissant became even more popular. It is sold in every French bakery as a French invention. It represents France across the world. When I ask an American citizen the first thing they think about France, one of the first words that comes to their mind is “croissant”. This example shows how well done and well hid this cultural appropriation is that nobody thinks that it is not French.
We can appreciate the culture without appropriating it. The croissant became an element of French culinary heritage but its origins are foreign. French people can appreciate the croissant but should not say that this is a national product. French people could benefit from Austrian and Turkish cultures but they should show appreciation.
*CNBPF : Confédération Nationale de la Boulangerie et Boulangeries-Pâtisseries Françaises
**ICE : Institute of Culinary Education
Sources :
- Marissa Xiong (2024, January, 30th), A Brief History of the Croissant, Institute of Culinary Education , https://artsandculture.google.com/story/MQXhoPJBiV0Fxg?hl=fr
- Bakery’s national confederation and the French Bakery (Confédération Nationale de la Boulangerie et Boulangeries-Pâtisseries Françaises), Le Croissant, Google Arts and Culture, https://www.ice.edu/blog/brief-history-croissant#:~:text=Across%20various%20accounts%20of%20croissant,roll%20common%20in%20Central%20Europe
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, What is Cultural Appropriation ?, Britannica https://www.britannica.com/story/what-is-cultural-appropriation
7 comments:
I am honestly shocked about this information. I had no idea about the true origins of the croissant. I always thought that it was from France. It's fascinating to learn that it was actually created in Vienna, Austria, to celebrate victory over the Ottoman Turks. It is also interesting to learn that its crescent shape even symbolized the Ottoman flag. This background helps me appreciate the croissant even more, but in a way that honors its origin.
After reading this short article I am very intrigued on the information I just read and found it quit interesting also. I did not know that croissants came from Vienna, Austria because I always thought they would come from France just because that's where I always heard where croissants were most popular so I just though that is where they came from. I also found it very interesting that Sylvain Goy made the first French version of the croissants in 1915. Also that the fact that the shape of the croissants symbolize the Ottoman flag. The information I got about croissants was very interesting and makes me think I should go look up more information on croissants.
Mauriah Taylor
This post is really interesting! I love croissants and I've always thought croissants came from France because that's what society puts out there. I didn't know that the croissant's history were in Austria and that it was connected with an important event such as the fall of the Ottoman Turks. It's cool how something so connected with a culture can grow to represent another, especially because of France's decision to make it a "national product." Regarding respecting cultures without forgetting their roots because I understand, I agree with what you're saying. Instead of just saying that something is French, it's important to see its origins, such as the croissant's Austrian and Turkish ties.
This blog provides an interesting history of the croissant, revealing its Austrian origins despite its strong association with France. It explains how the croissant evolved from the Austrian “kipferl,” introduced to France by Marie-Antoinette, and later transformed into the French version we know today. The blog encourages appreciating cultural elements while giving credit to their true origins, promoting respect and acknowledgment across cultures.
Jordan Hoskins
Spotlight on Students: A Discussion on Cultural Appropriation
"Croissant"
Cultural appropriation is a very diverse and sensitive topic.
The Croissant was originally created by the Australians but many believe that it originated by the French. It was introduced to the French after The Austrian archduchess Marie-Antoinette introduced it in France after marrying the king Louis XVI in 1770 simply because of the simple fact that she did not like the food in France which leads back to cultural appropriation. Like most of the world population I Too Believed that croissants originated in France but after reading this blog I am grateful for the history lesson and it shows that you should always be who you are you don't know what impact it has on others.
that straight just shocked me that croissants are not French because my whole life growing up i thought they was this is another example of can judge things in the word and i likedd how it was started in a vieennese backery in paris
I really enjoyed your post about the croissant’s surprising origins! It’s fascinating how something so closely associated with France actually started in Austria. Your point about cultural appropriation is also interesting how the croissant became so tied to French culture, even though it’s originally Austrian, shows how easily history can be rewritten. I agree that it’s important to appreciate and acknowledge the true origins of foods and traditions, rather than claiming them as solely our own. It’s a great reminder of how cultures can influence each other while still giving credit where it’s due.
Kayuuyor Okolo
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