History of Patchi

The Millennium marked the 20th anniversary of Patchi.  Founded in 1980, Patchi has grown to become Europe's largest Mediterranean pastries manufacturer.  Our commitment to quality and customer service have contributed greatly to our success.

History of Baklawa

Of all Mediterranean delicious sweet confections, the most famous is baklawa. This exquisite flavoured pastry has been made in Anatolia for long centuries, and its ancestor may be a dish made by the Assyrians consisting of dried fruit sandwiched between two layers of pastry and baked in the oven. The earliest record of baklava as we know it today locates it in Damascus, from which city it spread to Gaziantep and from there to the rest of Turkey. Exactly when and bow this happened is matter for debate. When baklawa was introduced to Gaziantep, the baklava of this city was made with even thinner layers of pastry, and filled with the fine quality pistachio nuts which grow in this region. By the 17th century at least the fame of baklava bad spread to Istanbul.

Baklawa has spread so far and wide that today it is to be found and eaten with relish in approximately one-fifth of the world's countries.  It is surprising for example, to find that baklawa is popular in Texas, where it was introduced in the 19th century by Czech migrants.  Less surprising is its prevalence throughout the Arabian peninsula, North Africa, the Turkic republics of Central Asia, Greece, Albania, Macedonia, India, Afghanistan and Armenia.  However, there is an difference between the baklawa made in all of these countries.

The finest baklawa is made with the thinnest pastry so that as you lift the piece to your mouth you should halt to savour the fragrance - which should be dominated by the wonderful aroma of cooked butter.

If there is no crunch when your fork and teeth penetrate the baklawa, then it is stale.  Well made baklawa should melt in the mouth, and should not be excessively sweet or syrupy.  At patchi, we only use natural ingredients to make the crunchiest, and most delicious Baklawa.