Author: Madara Oga
Source: Liveriga.com
From 3 to 16 August, Riga will celebrate the “Vecrīga” cream puff – a unique Latvian dessert with a special connection to the capital. To mark and celebrate Riga’s 825th birthday, a special gastronomic campaign, “Riga’s Sweetest Secret”, will take place in the capital from 3 to 16 August. The campaign is dedicated to one of Latvia’s most iconic desserts – the “Vecrīga” cream puff. Its aim is to encourage pride in our flavours and culinary heritage. When travelling to other countries, we often seek out local culinary symbols – this summer, Riga invites everyone to discover and savour its sweetest secret.
Just as Portugal takes pride in Pastel de Nata, Latvia has its own sweet symbol of the city – the “Vecrīga” cream puff. It is not only a popular dessert but also part of Latvia’s culinary heritage and Riga’s story of flavour, which is worth discovering both for Riga residents and visitors to the city.
Reklāma
The story of the “Vecrīga” cream puff is closely connected to Riga and its confectionery traditions. The recipe for the cake named “Vecrīga” was developed as a qualification project by confectioner Ilmārs Uldis Cīrulis (1927–1985), together with confectioner Vilhelms Pīrāgs (1907–1986). Both master confectioners also worked at the famous “Ch. Jürgenson–Otto Schwarz” café in Riga. This is one version of the pastry’s origin story; should readers know another, perhaps more accurate version, we would be pleased to hear it.
“Riga’s 825th anniversary is an excellent opportunity to remind both Riga residents and visitors to the city of the values that make us unique. The Riga Investment and Tourism Agency (RITA) is therefore organising a campaign aimed at reminding everyone that the “Vecrīga” cream puff is not merely a dessert – it is part of our gastronomic identity and a story about Riga that can be savoured,” emphasises Fredis Bikovs, Director of RITA.
During the campaign, a special map of “Vecrīga” cream puff will be created to help residents and tourists find places where they can taste different interpretations of this dessert. The map will serve as an invitation to embark on a sweet walk through Riga, discover the city’s cafés and confectioneries, and experience the “Vecrīga” cream puff in both its classic and creative versions.
A total of 27 Riga confectioneries, bakeries and cafés will participate in the “Riga’s Sweetest Secret” campaign: Līvu Café, Beķereja Bazaar, Konditoreja “Sala”, Crumble Cake, Kafijas Namiņš, Stockmann Café, FIKA, KRIŅĢEL’S, All Cappuccino, KŪRE Ceptuve, Melnā Bite, TAPAS TAPAS, After..., Raunas Dārzs Eklērnīca, Lapsas Māja, Kafe Manna, Liepkalni, Kairi Cafe, Vaniļas Debesis, Pērles Gardumi, Ugly Cake, Bezē konditoreja, Better Bread, KŪŪK Cafe, Cake D, Cruffins, Rocket Bean Cafe and other partners.
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