St. Martin's Croissants — Poznan's guilty pleasure
As November 11th approaches in Poznan, one thing is certain: the city is filled with the scent of croissants. And not just any croissants—St. Martin's Croissants are much more than your average pastry. How is it that Poznan's bakers bake so many of them that they could feed a small country?
St. Martin of Tours was a Roman legionary who, during a harsh winter, shared half of his cloak with a beggar. In doing so, he became a symbol of mercy. This story was a frequent subject of November sermons in Poznań's churches on St. Martin's Day. During one such sermon in 1891, Father Jan Lewicki called on the faithful to support the needy. This appeal was heard by the confectioner Józef Melzer. He decided to bake and give away a few batches of specially prepared croissants to the poor. Others followed suit, and thus the tradition of baking St. Martin's Croissants was born. This is the most well-known version of the story. But is it true? Not entirely... We know that advertisements for croissants appeared in the local press long before these events. They can be found as early as the 1850s and 60s.
Although croissants can be bought all year round, the sweet peak is on November 11th. According to tradition, they taste best on that day, and sales soar. During the St. Martin Day celebrations, Poznań's bakeries sell up to several hundred tons of this delicacy.
That is why the origin of St. Martin's Croissants is so important. The real ones—and therefore the best ones—come exclusively from Poznań and Greater Poland. Their uniqueness was recognized in 2008, when the St. Martin's Croissant became a regional product protected by the European Union with the PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) certificate. The Poznań Bakers and Confectioners Guild regularly certifies the croissants, and only those meeting strict requirements can bear the name St. Martin's Croissant. Every year, this right—and honorable distinction—is granted to around 100 bakeries and confectioneries in Greater Poland.
A typical St. Martin's Croissant weighs around 250 grams and packs up to 1,200 calories—that’s like a hearty dinner! But who cares? Tradition is sacred, after all, and you can always start your diet on November 12th.
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