The Tale of the Oranger

The orange blossom has been used for many centuries in traditional sweet recipes in the Languedoc-Roussillon. One of the best known is the Fougasse d’Aigues-Mortes, that grandma used to bake every week. One day, she had brought back some fresh butter from the market and as she had some orange blossom left over from the baking of the Fougasse, she decided to treat us by making some deliciously melting shortbreads! When we came back from school, she gave us, with a little smile, those new biscuits we never tried before…they looked so appetising! The smell of the orange blossom filled the house, sweet but subtle, it made your mouth water! The whole tray didn’t last very long…oops; we didn’t even leave one for mum and dad! I don’t think grandma had a taste either! But she baked them again, often and they are now in the family recipe book and I am delighted to be able to share them with you…secrets like these should be enjoyed by everyone!