If you are here, you surely want to try French macarons.
The history of French macarons dates back to the 17th century, when Italian chef François Pierre La Varenne worked at the court of King Louis XIV. La Varenne was known for his culinary skills and experimented with different styles of cuisine, including Italian cuisine.
At that time, macarons, small almond-based cakes made of almond paste and eggs, were popular in Italy. La Varenne began experimenting with these biscuits, adding different flavors and colors such as strawberry, lemon, cocoa, and almond powder. He also introduced innovative flavor combinations, such as chocolate and oranges.
Macarons became very popular at the French court, where they were served as dessert during banquets and solemn receptions. Over time, they were called French macarons to distinguish them from traditional Italian macarons.
In the 19th century, French macarons gained even more popularity thanks to Ladurée, the classic Parisian pastry shop, which is famous for making these biscuits in different flavors and colors. Today, macarons are one of the most recognizable symbols of French pastry and are known worldwide as an exclusive dessert.
Currently, macarons are still a popular and exclusive dessert, especially in Western countries. Contemporary macarons are usually in the shape of two almond-based biscuits, connected by a cream that gives them their characteristic texture and lightness.
The most popular patisseries selling macarons today are:
Ladurée : one of the most well-known and renowned pastry shops, famous for its colorful and flavored macarons offered in different flavors.
Pierre Hermé : another very popular pastry shop offering a wide variety of macaron flavors, from classic vanilla and chocolate to exotic flavors like wasabi or truffle.
Maison Ladurée : this pastry shop competes with Ladurée and offers a wide selection of macarons in different flavors.
Jean-Paul Hévin : a renowned pastry shop for its luxurious and elegant macarons offered in different flavors and colors.
L'Éclair de Génie : although this pastry shop is famous for its éclairs, its macarons are also very popular and stand out for unusual flavors such as chili or ginger.
There are so many wonderful pastry shops in Paris where you can try delicious macarons, so it's worth searching for your favorite flavors. Here are some places we personally recommend:
Sadaharu Aoki - is a famous pastry shop that combines classic Japanese aesthetics with French taste. The choice of macarons is vast, with flavors such as matcha, yuzu, or adzuki.
Carette - is an elegant pastry shop renowned for its delicious macarons. The menu offers classic flavors as well as more original ones, such as strawberry-lemon.
Arnaud Larher - is a pastry shop that not only offers delicious macarons but also exquisite chocolates and cakes. It's worth trying their more unusual flavors, such as lemon-basil.
Des Gâteaux et du Pain - is famous for its delicious croissants and bread, but it's also worth paying attention to their macarons. They are very intense in flavor, with flavors such as chocolate-coffee or mango-passion.
Sébastien Gaudard - is a classic and elegant pastry shop where, in addition to macarons, it's worth trying their delicious pies and cakes.
Macarons have also become a symbol of creativity and innovation in the pastry industry. Due to their versatility, they can be found in different flavors and colors, allowing for countless combinations of flavors and decorations.
Nowadays, macarons are often used as a decoration element at weddings and other festive events, as well as a gift for loved ones and friends. They are also a popular topic for food bloggers and pastry chefs who experiment with different flavors and decorations to create new and innovative versions of this dessert.
Don't hesitate to let us know when you have tried French macarons! ☺️
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