Rogal świętomarciński, in English known as the St. Martin’s croissant, is a sweet croissant filled with white poppy seeds, traditionally prepared in Poznań and some other parts of Greater Poland to celebrate St. Martin’s Day (November 11th). Due to its high popularity, it is now available year-round.
St. Martin's Croissant: Sweet Pastry Filled with White Poppy Seeds
Legends about the Origin of St. Martin’s Croissant
The tradition of baking St. Martin’s croissants allegedly dates back to pagan times, when oxen were sacrificed to the gods during autumn festivals, or, as a substitute, the dough was twisted into the shape of ox horns. The Roman Catholic Church adopted this custom and linked it with the figure of St. Martin. The shape of the dough was interpreted as a reference to the horseshoe that the saint’s horse is said to have lost.
In Poznań, the tradition of baking St. Martin’s croissants has been documented as far back as 1860, when the oldest known advertisement for St. Martin’s croissants was published in the “Dziennik Poznański.” However, the most popular legend is that the tradition in its current form began in November 1891. At that time, the pastor of St. Martin’s Church is said to have appealed to the faithful to do something for the poor. This idea was taken up by confectioner Józef Melzer, who revived an old recipe, sold the croissants to the wealthy townspeople, and gave them to the poor for free.
St. Martin’s Croissant Certification
For a confectionery or bakery to use the name “St. Martin’s croissant,” they must obtain certification from the Poznań Chapter of the Traditional St. Martin’s Croissant, which was established through the initiative of the Poznań Guild of Confectioners and Bakers, the Chamber of Crafts, and the Poznań City Council.
In 2015, 101 bakeries and confectioneries obtained this certification, so if you are buying a genuine St. Martin’s croissant, the certification is likely displayed somewhere in the shop. However, in Poznań, you can also easily encounter “unauthorized copies,” which are simply labeled as “croissants filled with white poppy seeds.”
This also means that certified bakers must adhere to the recipe. The recipe for a certified St. Martin’s croissant clearly states that the dough must be made with margarine. However, some bakeries consciously choose to modify the recipe and use butter instead. After all, dough made with butter is more aromatic, crispier, and tastier.
Protected Geographical Indication for St. Martin’s Croissant
The St. Martin’s croissant is such a unique pastry that by Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1070/2008 of October 30, 2008, the name “rogal świętomarciński” was registered as a Protected Designation of Origin and Protected Geographical Indication.
Price of St. Martin’s Croissant
The price of a St. Martin’s croissant depends on its weight. A certified product can weigh between 150 and 250 grams. One large croissant can cost approximately 15 PLN (4 EUR).
Is it worth buying and tasting? In my opinion, definitely! You get a generous portion of filling, the St. Martin’s croissant is usually quite large, and you can even follow the tradition of sharing this regional Polish specialty.
And if you enjoy the St. Martin’s croissant, be sure to visit a fun show in Poznań, where you’ll be shown how it’s made from start to finish.
Bon appétit!
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