The Curious, Tortuous History of the Croissant

The Curious History of the Croissant, From Austria to Paris

T here's something myterious-- even alchemical-- about the qualities that have to come together to yield the "ideal" croissant. It needs to be buttery and tender, but never mushy or overly moist. It requires a delicate flakiness-to-chewiness ratio, and the layers of all-butter puff pastry should…