Tonight, being in Pittsburgh, I found myself confronted by my grandparents' absurdly overstocked kitchen. Sitting next to the boston cream pie and the danish rolls was an open box of Trader Joe's "Petits Palmiers." Feeling rather peckish, I thought I'd have a munch.
A
palmier or "palm tree" is a traditional French baked good, considered to have been invented around the turn of the 20th century. They are prepared by folding thin layers of puff pastry to form a butterfly shape, which is then sprinkled with granulated sugar. The
palmier is then baked until golden brown and crunchy. It is a staple item in French bakeries due to its simplicity and versatility.
Trader Joe's take is remarkably tasty, considering the quantity that they produce. The
palmier itself has a rich, golden brown color and there is a good amount of crunch. The puff pastry is soft and light, which gives a melt-in-your-mouth experience. It's also not too sugary, which, given the American predilection for sweet, is admirable.
Overall, while I enjoyed my
palmiers (eating them before
and after dinner), the pastry itself wasn't flaky or fluffy enough to be a real winner. For what you're paying, they're a great deal. However, obvious as this might be, you can't beat the real deal, especially when taken with a cafe au lait on a sunny French sidewalk!
