At Wild Peaks Chocolates, we specialize inchocolate bonbons and bars made of unique nutty praliné chocolate. Praliné derives from “pralines”, but where do "pralines" come from and how did it originate? Let's dive into this European chocolate tradition.
What is pralines?
Pralines are a confection made with nuts (usually almonds or hazelnuts) that are coated in caramelized sugar. Although the exact origins of pralines are uncertain, they are believed to have originated in France in the early 17th century.
Who invented pralines?
The story goes that the Duke of Plessis-Praslin, a French diplomat and sugar enthusiast, asked his chef to create a new dessert that incorporated almonds and sugar. The chef experimented with different techniques and eventually came up with a method of caramelizing sugar and coating almonds with it. The resulting confection was named after the Duke, and became known as "pralines".
Pralines quickly became popular in France, and by the mid-18th century, they were being made in large quantities in the city of Montargis. The pralines made in Montargis were small, round candies made with almonds, sugar, and vanilla, and were known as "pralines de Montargis".
Over time, pralines spread throughout France and beyond, and different regions developed their own variations. In the south of France, for example, pralines were often made with hazelnuts instead of almonds, and were called "pralines du Sud". In the city of Lyon, pralines were made with rose water, giving them a distinctive floral flavor.
What are French praline chocolates then?
French praline chocolates have their roots in the early 20th century, when chocolatiers began experimenting with different fillings for their chocolates. The French version of praline chocolates is slightly different from the original praline confection described above, which is made with nuts and caramelized sugar.
The French version of praline chocolate is made with a combination of ground almonds and sugar that is cooked until it forms a smooth, creamy paste. This paste is then used as a filling for chocolates, which are often coated in milk or dark chocolate.
One of the most famous French praline chocolates is the Praliné, which was created by the French chocolatier, Auguste Poulain, in 1875. Poulain's Praliné was made with a mixture of ground almonds and sugar, and was used as a filling for his chocolates.
New chocolate praline flavors emerged
The Praliné quickly became popular in France, and other chocolatiers began creating their own versions of the filling. Over time, the recipe for Praliné evolved, with some chocolatiers adding hazelnuts or pistachios to the mixture.
In the early 20th century, French chocolatiers began combining Praliné with other ingredients to create new flavors. One popular variation is the Praliné feuilleté, which combines Praliné with layers of crispy, flaky pastry.
Today, French praline chocolates remain a beloved treat, and are a staple of many chocolate assortments. They are enjoyed around the world for their rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture.
At Wild Peaks Chocolates, we thrive to bring you the best of this tradition here in the Pacific Northwest! Do not wait to enjoy our praline handcrafted chocolates here in the PNW!
FAQs
Praliné is the result of a complex process: hazelnuts or almonds are roasted, before water and sugar are added. A kind of nougatine is created; it's then crushed and mixed to achieve a smooth, liquid texture.
How would you describe praline? ›
Praline is a sweet candy made from pecans and a whole lot of sugar. A fudgy, cream-based kind of praline is especially popular in the southern part of the United States. Officially, praline can refer to any confection that combines nuts and sugar.
What does praline chocolate taste like? ›
Praline chocolate is a confection characterised by its distinctive blend of textures and flavours, marrying the creaminess of chocolate with the crunchy richness of nuts and the sweetness of sugar.
What are pralines made of? ›
American praline: a creamy, fudge-like confection featuring a cluster of pecans coated with a caramelized mixture of brown sugar, granulated sugar, cream (or milk or evaporated milk) and butter. Though pralines are popular across the Southern U.S., they're most often recognized as a New Orleans specialty.
What is an example of a praline? ›
Almond praliné is used to make, for example, pink almond tarts. The Valrhona pralinés range most often uses an equal blend of almonds and hazelnuts. There are also pralinés that combine almond with other nuts, such as pecans, cashews, macadamias and pistachios.
What is the history of chocolate praline? ›
The origin dates back to 1636, when Clement Lassagne, chef to César Gabriel de Choiseul, the French Comte du Plessis-Praslin, decided to dip almonds into boiling sugar. Lassagne named this creation after his master, Plessis-Praslin, which then became widely known as praline.
What is a interesting fact about pralines? ›
In Louisiana, especially New Orleans, the name praline applies to candies made with pecans in a coating of brown sugar sold by Creole women known as pralinières. Even before the Civil War and Emancipation, pralines were an early entrepreneurial vehicle for free women of color in New Orleans.
What's the difference between chocolate and praline? ›
Chocolate is a solid or semi-solid state of matter that is made from cacao beans. Pralines are confections that are made with a thin shell of chocolate encasing a variety of fillings.
What is another name for a praline? ›
Other terms for pralines include pecan pralines, pecan candy, plarines and pecan patties, to name a few. Modern day New Orleans pecan pralines are not very different than the ones made one hundred years ago. The common factors are dairy, sugar, and pecans.
Is praline a nut? ›
praline, in French confectionery, a cooked mixture of sugar, nuts, and vanilla, often ground to a paste for use as a pastry or candy filling, analogous to marzipan; also, a sugar-coated almond or other nutmeat. In the cookery of the American South, the term denotes a candy of sugared pecan meats or coconut.
Imagine the perfect combination of creamy smooth chocolate and crunchy, nutty praline and you have the Godiva Milk Chocolate Praline Nougat Bar.
What scent is praline? ›
Created by perfumers, the praline note reproduces the sweet, gourmand scent of caramel with molecules such as Maltol or Ethyl Maltol. Reminiscent of childhood sweets, praline is decadently warm, vanilla-sweet, and adds a balsamic facet to fragrances. A smooth, milky, and candy floss-scented base note.
Are pralines good for you? ›
Being that pecans are the main ingredient; the snack contains essential vitamins & minerals, can aid in long-term heart health, can be enjoyed by gluten intolerant consumers, can provide a high number of antioxidants, and can supply a large amount of protein & fiber.
What does praline mean? ›
: a confection of nuts and sugar: such as. a. : almonds cooked in boiling sugar until brown and crisp. b. : a patty of creamy brown sugar and pecan meats.
Why do pralines turn white? ›
Pralines are a much-appreciated festive treat, but come to think of it, they're simply delicious at any time of the year. When your pralines turn white, you are seeing the recrystallization of sugar. And you are right that honey does technically slow down the rate at which crystals form in candy.
Is Ferrero Rocher A praline? ›
Ferrero Rocher is a multisensorial experience that starts from the first sight of the pack and builds up to a delicious taste experience. With its unique multi-layered praline and exquisite gold foil packaging, it's a chocolate that truly helps you get wrapped up in the moment.
What is the difference between pecan and praline candy? ›
What is the difference between a pecan and a praline? A pecan is a type of nut while a praline is a type of candy that is made with sugar and nuts. While pecans are the most common type of nut used in pralines, almonds or hazelnuts will work too.
