In certain regions of Texas, a popular breakfast option is known as a kolache. This savory pastry is often filled with meat and cheese.
However, the history of kolaches is more captivating than what one might expect for a breakfast dish.
This narrative intertwines themes of immigration, shrewd business acumen, and a significant element of Americana.
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A True Texas Delicacy
Historically, the first Czechs immigrated to Texas in the early 19th century, according to the Texas State Historical Association. By the time of the Civil War, the Czech population in Texas had grown to 700, and immigration escalated significantly at the turn of the 20th century.
By 1910, the Texas State Historical Association records indicate there were 15,074 “foreign-born Czechs” in the area.
Traditional Czech kolaches, like the one depicted on the far right, are filled with fruit, while the kolaches enjoyed in Texas, shown above and to the left, feature meat. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
Among the many traditions the Czech immigrants brought to Texas were their beloved pastries, including kolaches.
Originally, kolaches are Czech pastries typically filled with fruit, described as “similar to a thumbprint cookie but larger,” according to a representative from Shipley Do-Nuts in a conversation with Fox News Digital.
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Kolaches make up a third of the sales at the Texas-based chain, as noted by Ashley Lennington, a spokesperson.
“In Texas—and at Shipley—kolaches are among the top breakfast choices. We aimed to provide more savory and protein-rich breakfast selections alongside our famed doughnuts,” explained Kayla Venable, executive chef at Shipley Do-Nuts, in an interview with Fox News Digital.
In Texas, the kolaches people enjoy are savory rather than sweet, typically devoid of any fruit.
Kolaches represent a third of the sales at Shipley Do-Nuts, according to a spokesperson for the company. The kolaches available at Shipley Do-Nuts are of the savory variety. (Shipley Do-Nuts)
The appearance of Texas kolaches differs significantly from the original design, resembling more of an enclosed bun than a large thumbprint cookie.
These Texas kolaches are technically Czech-American pastries known as klobásník; however, the term kolache remains more widely used.
“Here in Texas, we embrace our meaty cuisine,” Lennington stated.
These Texas kolaches are technically Czech-American pastries known as klobásník.
There is also a slight variation in pronunciation. In Texas, people say kolache as “ko-lah-chee,” whereas in Czech, it sounds more like “ko-lahsh,” according to Lennington.
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The origin of Texas kolaches “began with a kielbasa sausage encased in a yeast roll,” stated Lennington.
It seems the public enjoyed this dish, which “naturally evolved from there.”
Shipley Do-Nuts started selling kolaches in 1995, Lennington noted, as a savory breakfast (or lunch or snack) alternative to their doughnuts.
This particular kolache from Shipley Do-Nuts includes ham, sausage, and jalapeños. (Shipley Do-Nuts)
“They noticed the other breakfast establishments and doughnut brands in Houston selling savory kolache options, leading them to start offering them,” Lennington explained.
Shipley Do-Nuts has recently introduced egg-filled kolaches to its lineup, as Venable highlighted, with plans for even more exciting options.
“Our trio of new egg and cheese varieties that debuted in early July have quickly emerged as bestsellers, shattering single-day sales records week after week,” she mentioned. “Inspired by this success, I’m already experimenting in the kitchen to develop additional kolache options for our menu.”
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While kolaches are found in abundance throughout Texas, Kolache Factory, based in Katy, Texas, operates across nine states and ships products nationwide.
Founded in 1982, Kolache Factory’s menu boasts both traditional sweet fruit kolaches and the meat-filled varieties popular in Texas.
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According to the Kolache Factory website, “Kolaches are compact and easy to enjoy—ideal for any setting, whether in a car, at a meeting, or during a game.”
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The site further asserts that “kolaches are the perfect option for a nutritious, ‘on-the-go’ meal.”
