Clémus Birthday quizz

Desserts

100

This pastry is renowned for its flaky, buttery layers and is typically filled with either a rich custard or a sweet fruit jam. Often topped with a light icing, it is a staple in Danish bakeries and is commonly enjoyed with coffee. What is the name of this pastry?

A) Kanelsnegl
B) Kringle
C) Spandauer
D) Hindbær Croissant

C) Spandauer

200

What French term refers to the process of folding butter into dough multiple times to create flaky layers?
A) Caramelization
B) Lamination
C) Blind baking
D) Docking

B) Lamination

300

In making Italian meringue, what temperature should the sugar syrup reach before being slowly poured over whipped egg whites while continuing to beat the mixture until it cools down, resulting in a smooth and glossy meringue?

A) 100–105°C
B) 110–113°C
C) 118–121°C
D) 125–130°C

C) 118–121°C

400

Which of these is the correct description of diplomat cream?
A) A mixture of whipped cream and Swiss meringue
B) Pastry cream lightened with whipped cream (or Chantilly)
C) Custard thickened with gelatin and flavored with fruit
D) A crème pâtissière flavored with chocolate and coffee

B) Pastry cream lightened with whipped cream (or Chantilly)

500

What occurs if gelatin bloom strength or amount is off in a mirror glaze?

A) Low bloom strength or too little gelatin the glaze may not set or remains soft; high bloom strength or too much gelatin the glaze becomes rubbery or overly stiff.
B) If bloom strength is very high, the glaze might still flow well immediately after pouring, but lose its shine after chilling, appearing dull.
C) Using low‑bloom gelatin always yields a thicker glaze that holds shape better, even if slightly less glossy.
D) The type of gelatin (sheet vs powder) matters only for ease of handling; bloom strength or amount has no effect on texture once set.

A) Low bloom strength or too little gelatin the glaze may not set or remains soft; high bloom strength or too much gelatin the glaze becomes rubbery or overly stiff.

Geography

100

In which French department is the commune of Lavelanet located?

A) Haute-Garonne
B) Aude
C) Ariège
D) Tarn

C) Ariège

200

What country is this?

A) England

B) Sweden

C) Denmark

D) Island

C) Denmark

300

What is this Bay called?

A) Bay of India

B) Bay of Puri

C) Bay of Burma

D) Bay of Bengal

D) Bay of Bengal

400

During which geological period did the Dolomites begin to form, and what were the primary processes involved?

A) Triassic Period; sediment deposition in a warm, shallow sea, followed by tectonic uplift during the Alpine orogeny.
B) Jurassic Period; volcanic activity leading to the formation of basaltic rock layers.
C) Cretaceous Period; glacial movements shaping the current landscape.
D) Paleogene Period; erosion of ancient mountain ranges.

A) Triassic Period; sediment deposition in a warm, shallow sea, followed by tectonic uplift during the Alpine orogeny.

The Dolomites began forming around 250 million years ago during the Triassic Period. At that time, the region was covered by a warm, shallow sea where marine organisms like corals, shells, and calcareous algae accumulated on the seafloor. Over millions of years, these sediments were compacted and lithified into limestone. Later, during the Alpine orogeny (approximately 60 million years ago), tectonic forces caused the uplifting of these sedimentary layers, leading to the formation of the mountain range we see

500

What Country is this?

A) Nepal

B) Kyrgyztan

C) Bhutan

D) Tajikistan

C) Bhutan

90's

100

Which group released the hit song “Wannabe” in 1996?
A) Backstreet Boys
B) Spice Girls
C) TLC
D) Destiny’s Child

B) Spice Girls

200

What was the title of the first Harry Potter book, published in the 1990s?
A) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
B) Harry Potter and the Half‑Blood Prince
C) Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
D) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

C) Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Correct, for most regions)

300

What major EU treaty was signed in 1993, establishing the European Union formally under that name?

A) Treaty of Lisbon
B) Treaty of Maastricht

C) Treaty of Geneva
D) Treaty of Paris

B) Treaty of Maastricht

400

Which French band from the 90's created this song?

A) Daft Punk

B) Justice

C) Cassius

D) Stardust

C) Cassius

500

Which conflict formally ended with the signing of the Dayton Agreement in 1995?
A) Rwandan Civil War
B) Bosnian War
C) First Chechen War
D) Kosovo Conflict

B) Bosnian War

Haute couture

100

Which city is considered the birthplace and global capital of haute couture?
A) Milan
B) Paris
C) London
D) New York

B) Paris

200

Who is often credited as the founder of haute couture in the 19th century?
A) Coco Chanel
B) Charles Frederick Worth
C) Christian Dior
D) Yves Saint Laurent

B) Charles Frederick Worth

Charles Frederick Worth, an Englishman based in Paris, is considered the father of haute couture. In the 1850s, he revolutionized fashion by designing and creating garments in his own atelier, introducing the concept of designer labels.

300

Which French designer famously created the first women’s tuxedo, called "Le Smoking," in 1966?

A) Christian Dior
B) Yves Saint Laurent
C) Hubert de Givenchy
D) Pierre Balmain

B) Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent introduced "Le Smoking," empowering women with a tailored tuxedo jacket, revolutionizing gender norms in fashion.

400

What was the original purpose of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture when it was created?
A) To standardize artisanal techniques and safeguard traditional sewing methods in Parisian ateliers
B) To regulate the business practices and maintain the exclusivity of haute couture
C) To arbitrate disputes between fashion houses and fabric suppliers, ensuring fair trade
D) To oversee the accreditation of fashion journals and control the dissemination of haute couture imagery  

B) To regulate the business practices and maintain the exclusivity of haute couture

500

In haute couture terminology, what is “couching” (or “pose”) embroidery?
A) Stitching through multiple layers at once
B) Laying threads on fabric and tacking them down with small stitches
C) A zigzag topstitch for stretch fabrics
D) Rolling the edge of a hem for a clean finish

B) Laying threads on fabric and tacking them down with small stitches

Explanation:
Couching is a traditional embroidery technique where decorative threads are laid on the surface of the fabric and stitched down with tiny stitches, allowing for intricate patterns using thick or metallic threads.

Wine

100

What does the term “terroir” refer to in wine?
A) The price of the wine
B) The alcohol content
C) The unique environment in which the grapes are grown
D) A type of barrel used

C) The unique environment in which the grapes are grown

200

Which of the following is a well-known red wine grape?
A) Chardonnay
B) Riesling
C) Merlot
D) Sauvignon Blanc

C) Merlot

300

Which wine region is known for producing Premier Cru and Grand Cru classifications?
A) Bordeaux
B) Burgundy
C) Champagne
D) Rhône

B) Burgundy

400

What is “malolactic fermentation” primarily used for in winemaking?
A) Sweetening the wine
B) Increasing alcohol content
C) Softening acidity
D) Clarifying wine

C) Softening acidity

It converts sharp malic acid into softer lactic acid, especially in red wines and some Chardonnays.

500

Which rare red wine grape is indigenous to the Jura region of France and known for its light color and complex aromas?
A) Poulsard
B) Tannat
C) Cinsault
D) Syrah  

A) Poulsard

Poulsard (also spelled Ploussard) is a unique grape from Jura, producing delicate, aromatic reds often mistaken visually for rosés.

Brands

100

Which bottled water brand is sourced from volcanic rock filtration in Auvergne, France?
A) Perrier
B) Vittel
C) Volvic
D) Evian

C) Volvic

Volvic water flows through six layers of volcanic rock in the Auvergne region, giving it its mineral composition and purity.

200

Which South Korean brand started as a grocery trading store in 1938 before becoming a global electronics leader?
A) LG
B) Samsung
C) Hyundai
D) SK Hynix

B) Samsung

300

Which luxury watch brand designed the first wristwatch specifically for pilots in 1904?
A) Rolex
B) Longines
C) Cartier
D) Breitling

C) Cartier

Explanation:
Cartier created the Santos watch for aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, solving the problem of checking time mid-flight.

400

Which video game company was founded in 1889 and originally made handmade playing cards?
A) Atari
B) Nintendo
C) Sega
D) Sony

B) Nintendo

500

Which German camera brand was smuggled into West Germany post-WWII in parts, disguised as kitchen appliances?
A) Leica
B) Voigtländer
C) Rollei
D) Zeiss

A) Leica

After WWII, Leica’s parts were disguised as domestic items to avoid confiscation during cross-border smuggling.

Mysterious

100

Which ancient city was buried under volcanic ash in 79 AD and rediscovered centuries later?
A) Carthage
B) Petra
C) Herculaneum
D) Pompeii 

D) Pompeii

Explanation:
Pompeii, near modern-day Naples, was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, preserving Roman life in vivid detail. 

200

Which ancient structure is famously aligned with the summer solstice?
A) Machu Picchu
B) Stonehenge
C) The Great Pyramid of Giza
D) Chichen Itza

B) Stonehenge

Stonehenge aligns with the sunrise on the summer solstice, suggesting astronomical or ritual purposes.

300

Why does the glabrous skin on human fingers and toes form wrinkles after prolonged exposure to water?

A) Due to water absorption causing the skin to expand
B) As a passive osmotic reaction in the skin's outer layers
C) Because of an active response by the nervous system to improve grip
D) As a result of body temperature changes in water

C) Because of an active response by the nervous system to improve grip

400

Which unsolved aviation case involved a man vanishing mid-flight after hijacking a plane and parachuting into the night with ransom money?

A) The Bermuda Vanisher
B) D.B. Cooper
C) The Phantom Pilot
D) The Flyaway Jack

B) D.B. Cooper

D.B. Cooper is an unidentified man who hijacked a plane in 1971, demanded ransom, and parachuted out — never to be found. The FBI closed the case unsolved in 2016.

500

Where is the ancient underground city of Derinkuyu located?
A) Greece
B) Turkey
C) Iran
D) Jordan

B) Turkey

Derinkuyu, in Cappadocia, Turkey, is a massive underground city that could shelter over 20,000 people its purpose is still debated.