Um… Macarons, Not So Much
August 7, 2010 by Samia Shalabi
OK, so the last few days, we’ve been on location in the city and there just happen to be three pâtisseries (bakeries) around the corner. I’ve been sneaking away and trying the sweets and oh la la… I’m in love! Today, I tried the famous colorful macarons. And well, I’d have to disagree with Jamie Schler’s romantic and supremely positive article in the Huffington Post. But nonetheless it was fun to try the very French macarons. Colorful fluffy meringue filled with sweetness. I looked in the case filled with éclairs, pains au lait, and fruit tartes, and there they were: the Easter egg colored macarons.
I chose framboise (raspberry) and I think this was my mistake. It was filled with raspberry jam and was so sweet I only took one bite before the sugar high set in. The texture was also not to my liking (a light crunch and then sticky goo) and, well, they just aren’t my choice within the plethora of options. They may need another chance; I may have to try a chocolate one from a different pâtisserie and see what the result is. But for now, I will stay with the chocolate-filled croissants and Tarte Tatin.
They sure are cute though.
Your post made me smile! Thanks so much for linking back to my macaron article but I will say one or two things: I have tried macarons from both Laduree and Fornum & Mason and didn’t like either one. The Laduree macs were horribly, lip-puckeringly sweet and the flavors were none too good. The F & M were dry and rather dull. Have yet to try Pierre Herme macs though when I made them from his cookbook they were delicious. My homemade macarons are much better although my son enjoys them more than I do (except the chocolate) and my French husband HATES macarons and won’t even taste my own. Thus the article – why oh why the madness about these dainties? People seem to either love them or hate them although as you say – one must at least try them once! Thanks again!