September 27

How Were Crepes Invented?

Ever thought about how were crepes invented or read over some fun facts about crepes? It’s something to think about next time you’re enjoying a plate of the French dish that has captivated so many over the centuries. It’s actually pretty interesting how it happened and how it spread to other areas of Europe as well as the Mediterranean.

If you’ve never heard the tale, let’s go into it as well as talk about a few crepe history facts. You’ll appreciate the dish so much more next time you’re enjoying one.

Where Do Crepes From?

Henri Carpentier was a 14-year old assistant waiter in 1895 and it purely by accident. He was making a dessert for the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII of England when the pan caught fire.  Thinking the dessert ruined, Henri worried he would have to start all over with the Prince and his friends waiting. Hoping for the best, Henri tasted the soon to be named crepe and found it to be the most delicious thing he had ever tasted.

Originally Henri was making a pancake and the flame brought all the flavors together in a way he had never tasted and so, decided to present it to the Prince of Wales. The Prince tasting it said it was one of the grandest desserts he had ever had and then asked for the name. Henri, knowing that pancakes are gendered, said “Crepes Princesse”. The soon to be King Edward didn’t appreciate that much as there was a lady present. A girl at the table stood and approached the Prince, asking him to change it to “Crepes Suzette”.

There you go, the full story as to how were crepes invented. A young chef screwed up a pancake and found it to be an incredible meal fit for royalty. Now, crepes are internationally enjoyed by every economic class and it all started with a little accident. Isn’t that how the best discoveries are made, by mistake?

Now that you know how crepes were invented, let’s move on to some fun facts about crepes.

Fun Facts About Crepes

Crepes in Post FallsHere are 7 fun crepe history facts to chat about over a meal with your friends next time you decide to enjoy one:

1) crepes almost always come in a half-moon shape due though it may also be folded twice into a triangle or rolled, which is called “en pannequet”. If it’s rolled, expect some filling in your crepe!

2) The crepe may have originated in France but it has spread across Europe and now has plenty of variations: the filloa in Spain, the latita in Romania, and the pannenkoek in the Netherlands.

3) Is your crepe mixture a bit lumpy? Just add some hard liquor to break it down and also, it brings an extra flavor to the crepe!

4) There is a myth that the first crepe out of the pan is never a success and so, it’s customary to give the first as well as the last crepe to cat or dog.

5) Ordering soup? In some European soups, crepes are cut up into strips and added to it.

6) Traditional crepes in France are made with buckwheat rather than regular flour.

7) calling a crepe a “French pancake” is considered insulting and you’ll end up really offending a French person.

Have a Crepe

Now you know how were crepes invented and some fun facts about crepes, aren’t you getting hungry? A lot of people have their own takes on many European cuisines but, here at the Old European, we stick to tradition. If you want to try the best crepes in Post Falls, Spokane, or Pulman then come to the Old European and taste some of the crepe history facts told above.

Remember, that when you’re enjoying these delicious little desserts that it all began with some kid in a kitchen who screwed up a Prince’s meal. Bless that accident and cheers to him for it!


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