Here You Can Buy the Best Almond Pastry in the Netherlands
Years ago, I worked Saturdays at a traditional bakery. The best time of year? Autumn. The colder it got outside, the louder the oven roared, filled with all kinds of delicious treats such as filled speculaas and almond pastry. If something didn’t come out of the oven quite right, we were allowed to eat it — the fact that I didn’t explode back then can safely be called a miracle. As far as I’m concerned, a fresh, warm almond pastry is worth taking a detour for. Here you’ll find the best in the Netherlands.
Every year, Echte Bakkers — quality bakers affiliated with the Echte Bakkersgilde — compete for the title of ‘Best Almond Pastry in the Netherlands’. Bakers from all over the Netherlands submitted their pastries.
Tasting, tasting and more tasting
This was done by a professional jury of judges. In the preliminary rounds, they worked their way through around 100 almond pastries. In the final, the professional jury was joined by Tim Boers, a member of the Dutch BoulangerieTeam. They assessed the 12 finalists on aspects including the finish, texture and colour of the almond paste — but even more importantly: the taste! After blind-tasting the almond pastries and extensive jury deliberation, they arrived at a top three.
Top 3
Van Walderveen (with bakeries in Geldermalsen, Beesd, Waardenburg and Buren in Gelderland) emerged as the winner once again this year. Van Walderveen also took the top prize in 2016 and 2018. Lubbers, De Echte Bakker from Almelo, took second place. Twijnstra, De Echte Bakker from the Frisian village of Oudemirdum, won bronze.
Also worth taking a detour for
The other 9 finalists selling a top-quality product in their shops are De Echte Bakkers: Ad Bos in Ochten, De Korenaar in Surhuisterveen, Gommans in Sevenum, John Treur in Oudewater, Marten Boonstra in Akkrum, Sjaak Doeleman in Werkhoven, Theo Pastoor in Tilburg, Toet in Apeldoorn and Vroonland in Yerseke.
Also read:
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- Pizza makers would really like you to stop doing this
