Final answer:
Traditional puff pastry is typically given six to seven turns to create its many layers. The turns, coupled with chilling periods between them, ensure the pastry achieves its characteristic flaky texture.
Step-by-step explanation:
Traditional puff pastry, also known as pâte feuilletée, is given a specific number of turns to create its unique layers. The process involves rolling out the dough, folding it, and then turning it 90 degrees before repeating the process. Generally, puff pastry is given six to seven turns, which creates hundreds of layers of pastry and butter. Each turn essentially doubles the number of layers, so with six turns you could create 26, or 64, layers, and with seven turns, 27, or 128 layers. It's important to let the dough rest in the refrigerator between turns to maintain the integrity of the layers and to keep the butter from melting.