Mysterious and comforting, the niflette de Provins is a small puff pastry tart with a custard center, served in November in Provins, Seine-et-Marne (77), as a symbol of consolation and sharing. A sweet treasure that blends medieval tradition with local generosity.
One of the traditional confectionery products of the Seine-et-Marne region, like the sucre d'orge from Moret and the poppy from Nemours, the niflette not only has a moving history, but is nowadays a perfect opportunity to discover the town of Provins from a sweet, cultural and friendly angle.
Much more than an All Saints' Day cake, Provins niflette is a living testimony to the region's rich culinary heritage. We reveal its history!
The origins of the niflette go back to the Middle Ages, when the inhabitants of Provins used to offer orphans a small pastry as they left cemeteries on All Saints' Day, saying in Latin: "Ne flete!", in other words: "Don't cry". Known as niflette, the pastry symbolized sweetness, consolation and communion, and over time became a local tradition that bakers and confectioners still perpetuate today, during the two weeks before and after November 1st.
There are several versions of the etymology: one states that it derives from "ne flete" ("don't cry"), the other maintains that the term comes from the local Picard "Niflez, niflez!" meaning "Feel, feel!".
The niflette is made from a round base of pure butter puff pastry, topped with two disks, one of which is pierced in the center to form a well that receives the pastry cream, prepared from egg yolks, milk, sugar, flour (or flan powder) and sometimes delicately scented with orange blossom and vanilla. This marriage of golden puff pastry and smooth cream reveals a tender, simple taste, contrasting with more sophisticated contemporary pastries.
Baking at 180°C for around 15 minutes slightly swells the cream, which then sinks as it cools, forming that characteristic creamy texture. Each tartlet is then generously dusted with powdered sugar just before serving.
Even today, provinois patissiers still sell niflettes, usually by the dozen. The town celebrates this delicacy every November 11 with the Fête de la Niflette, a medieval market featuring demonstrations, tastings, musical entertainment and workshops for young and old.
More than just a modest pastry, the niflette is a living link between the medieval past and thegastronomic heritage of Île-de-France. Its seasonal production, limited to a few days a year, reinforces its precious, ephemeral character!
The Paris region through its terroir : Discover the culinary specialties of Île-de-France
You think you know the Paris region like the back of your hand, but how well do you know its terroir? Don't delay in discovering the culinary specialties of Île-de-France! [Read more]
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
The Paris region through its terroir : Discover the culinary specialties of Île-de-France
