Learning About Pralines, A Little History

The praline is a confection.  There are Belgian pralines, which have a different texture and combination of flavors and are covered in chocolate, but I'm going to focus on the praline of New Orleans.  A basic New Orleans recipe includes light brown sugar, granulated sugar, light cream, pecans and butter.

It is no surprise the praline in the early centuries found its way from France to New Orleans.  (Remember the Louisiana Purchase 1803.  Also, New Orleans was founded in 1718 and is named after the French Duke of Orleans.) The praline is said to have been created in France in the early 1600s by a cook named Marshal du Plessis-Praslin.  Originally, the praline was made with almonds which were available in France.  When French settlers brought their praline recipes to New Orleans, pecan trees were plentiful, and so pecans were substituted for almonds. Both are nutritious nuts. Does this balance out the sugar?  My body says, yes.  And sugar cane also grew in abundance along the Mississippi River near New Orleans.

Throughout the history of New Orleans women sold pralines along the streets in the Old French Quarter.  "Even before the Civil War and Emancipation, pralines were an early entrepreneurial vehicle for free women of color in New Orleans."1   Two of the oldest praline stores in the French Quarter date back to the beginning of the 20th century.  One is Laura's Candies on Chartres Street opened in 1913 and the other is Evans Creole Candy Factory on Decatur Street opened in the year 1900.

The praline has been and continues to be an important candy, confection, and in my opinion, the New Orleans praline is so classic.


By Roberta Whitman Hoff


1 Article, New Orleans Pralines, Sweet Southern Confections by Ian McNulty at https//www.frenchquarter.com/new-orleans-pralines/

Other sources:  
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praline
https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/multicultural/cultures/french/

A Little Bit About Ice Cream & Gelato

I've been researching my current subjects Ice Cream and Gelato (yes, with capital letters) a bit on the internet.  I was surprised to learn on The History of Ice Cream at the International Dairy Foods Association website that Ice Cream dates back to the 2nd century B.C. and also that Alexander the Great enjoyed a frozen dessert flavored with "honey and nectar."

Gelato, as is sorbet, frozen custard, frozen yogurt, are all considered varieties and styles of Ice Cream.

Gelato was invented by Bernardo Buontalenti in Florence, Italy!!!! Of course!!!!
And Bernardo lived during the Renaissance period.   Bernardo B. created this first Gelato for royalty.  That's no surprise.  This royal person was the Grand Duke Cosimo I de'Medici, and the new dessert was presented at an "opulent banquet to celebrate the Spanish deputation,"1 deputation meaning government.

At the end of the 17th century, Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli (Sicilian fisherman and cafe owner) is credited with the modern Gelato we enjoy today.

Both Ice Cream and Gelato are made of milk and cream but the proportions are different and, therefore, create a different texture and product.  Ice Cream generally includes eggs.

In about the year 1777, Ice Cream came available in the United States.  There is a record that tells President George Washington spent $200 on Ice Cream in the summer of 1790.  President Thomas Jefferson was rumoured to have an 18-step recipe for Baked Alaska.  (Wow.  Baked Alaska was one of my favorite in home-economics class, decades ago.)  A Wow goes to Thomas Jefferson, president and dessert lover.

No surprise that until about the year 1800 (according to the IDFA International Dairy Foods Association) Ice Cream was a rare and exotic dessert enjoyed mostly only by the wealthy.  So having Ice Cream in these past times might have been like going to a 5-star resort today.   In 1800, ice houses were invented.  So my reading shows that when electricity and refrigeration were invented and become more popular, Ice Cream became more and more popular and available to the average person.

I hope you have a beautiful day!!! Hooray for Ice Cream & Gelato!!!


Roberta Whitman Hoff



1   https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gelato

Other Sources:  www.thespruceeats.com/whats-the-difference-between-gelato-and-ice-cream-909197
                          www.idfa.org/news-views/media-kits/ice-cream/the-history-of-ice-cream