Praline in New Orleans (2024)

FAQs

How do people in New Orleans say pralines? ›

For the record, the local and proper pronunciation is “prah-lean,” while the nut most commonly used in it is pronounced “peck-on.” Just remember that, in New Orleans, a word pronounced “pray-lean” means nothing except, perhaps, a posture the supplicant faithful assume while petitioning God.

In Louisiana, especially New Orleans, the name praline applies to candies made with pecans in a coating of brown sugar sold by Creole women known as pralinières. Even before the Civil War and Emancipation, pralines were an early entrepreneurial vehicle for free women of color in New Orleans.

Loretta's New Orleans Authentic Pralines

Loretta's are the best pralines. They are sweet, the pecans are huge, and they have the perfect texture that rides a line between lusciously creamy and pleasantly grainy.

In the 19th century French settlers brought a recipe to Louisiana, where both sugar cane and pecan trees were plentiful. New Orleans, emancipated black women substituted pecans for almonds, added cream to thicken the confection, and thus created what became known throughout the American South as the praline.

"The Big Easy" became the official nickname for New Orleans after a contest was run years ago.

How Long Do Pralines Last? Pralines will keep well for 1 or 2 weeks at room temperature. After that, the sugar will begin to crystallize and the candy will get harder and gritty.

praline, in French confectionery, a cooked mixture of sugar, nuts, and vanilla, often ground to a paste for use as a pastry or candy filling, analogous to marzipan; also, a sugar-coated almond or other nutmeat.

Beignets were first introduced to the city by the French-Creole colonists in the 18th century. The concept is simple – dough is fried then covered with mounds of powdered sugar – but the result is extraordinary.

New Orleans is famous for many things, including pralines. Our century old method has made our pralines the favorite in the Crescent City. Pralines have been traditional treats for many years, and we are proud to continue that tradition at New Orleans Famous Praline Company.

Praline pecans are also a healthy addition as pecans contain vitamins and minerals, and are also free from cholesterol so you can much on them without worry.

What does praline stand for? ›

pra·​line ˈprä-ˌlēn ˈprā- ˈprȯ- : a confection of nuts and sugar: such as. a. : almonds cooked in boiling sugar until brown and crisp.

It is believed that pralines were brought over from France by the Ursuline nuns, who came to New Orleans in 1727.

In New Orleans, Acadiana, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pralines are sometimes called "pecan candy".

The powder made by grinding up such caramel-coated nuts is called pralin, and is an ingredient in many cakes, pastries, and ice creams. After this powder has been mixed with chocolate, it becomes praliné in French, which gave birth to what is known in French as chocolat praliné.