Parisian Macaroon - This Are The Ones You Need To Know About !

Anybody that has been in Europe or has frequented real fancy parties, has at one time or another ran into Parisian Macaroon. You can find cheap offshoots of this delicacy in American Supermarkets where they are usually an over sized, over sweet cookie sandwich with a frosting cream in between. That has nothing to do with the real deal. A Parisian Macaroon is a traditional French Pastry that originated in Nancy, in northeastern France. Dating back to the 18th century , the Macaroon was made of egg whites, almond powder and sugar. In the early 1900s, the Parisian bakery Ladurée stole the name macaroon and started to sell the first Parisian Macaroons which was made from two traditional macaroons sandwiched together with a sweet filling in between. Soon Ladurée started to produce all kind of different colors and flavor macaroons. Whereas the traditional macaroon was sweet, dry and crunchy, the new Parisian Macaroon is still delicately crunchy on the outside but moist and chewy on the inside. In 1967 at the world famous Confiserie Sprüngli in Zurich, Switzerland the Parisian Macaroon was developed into a "Luxemburgerli" (also Luxembourger) . Similar to the Parisian Macaroon, they consist of an airy, delicate almond cookie top and bottom with a rich cream filling in the center. A top Parisian Macaroon or Luxembourgerli is something out of this world and truly addictive. Here are the best Macaroons money can buy:

Pierre Hermé (Paris/Tokyo) Lets start with the Macaroons of my favourite French Pastry Chefs of all times. He is more innovative than any other Pastry Chef and therefore you will find Macaroons in his line up, that nobody else would even dare to attempt; Chocolate-Zucchini would be a good example of that. In my books Pierres' Macaroons are the best Macaroons that you can find in Paris today. They are light, the perfect size and just popping with color and flavor. They make outrageous gifts and can enhance an meal or kaffeeklatsch. You can also order at Pierre's website directly. When in Paris, please visit his most beautiful Pastry Shop on the Rue Bonaparte.


Paul Boulangerie (London) If you are in London, you can hook up some top Parisian Macaroons at Paul's. An old Boulangerie that started in Lille, France decades ago has beautiful shops in South Kensington and in the Canary Wharf. When feelings are stronger than reason, taste-buds reign supreme! PAUL has perfected its Parisian Macaroon recipe, based on genuine, old-fashioned values: almonds, egg-white, sugar — and nothing else. The result is a little round delicacy, crisp on the outside, with a richly flavored creamy inside. Surely my number one Macaroon pick in the UK!

L'Epicerie (Best Import From France) They are hand-made and shipped directly from France to the US. You can order them online. Just click on the picture. Each tray is composed of 12 macaroons in each of the 6 following flavors: Raspberry, Chocolate, Vanilla, Pistachio, Strawberry, and Lemon for a total of 72 macaroons. These Parisian Macaroons are the perfect little sweet thing to serve with coffee, tea, as an accompaniment to sorbets, or enjoyed by themselves. This is the best Macaroon that is imported from France. They will delight your guests and friends.

Laduree (Paris) The Parisian Macaroon is the most famous creation of Ladurée in Paris. There is no way not to pay amish to this Parisian institution. No matter what, when in Paris you need to stop by Ladurée. It is a true mind blowing experience. For me personally these Macaroons are number two in Paris, behind Pierre Herme but you will find a lot of people that will disagree with me on this rankings. If you want to give Macaroons as a gift, than Ladurée is clearly your premier choice. Nobody presents and packs Parisian Macaroons nicer than Ladurée. You can order online, just click on the picture.

L'Artiste Patisserie (Los Angeles)These guys produce some of the best Parisian Macarons in the US today. They come very to the Parisian quality. Also L'Artiste is a great place for breakfast and just to hang out coffee house style. You can call them and they may ship some of these treasures to you. When in L.A. you need to go and see them. They are at 17312 Ventura Boulevard (818) 386-0061.


Confiserie Sprungli (Zurich) This is the only place in the world where you can find the famous Luxemburgerli's. These little things are unbelievably delicious. No comparison. Hands down my personal favourite Macaroons. They come in great selection, some of them even made with alcohol. The shelf life of Luxemburgerli is limited to 3-5 days, and they must be refrigerated. The name Luxemburgerli derives from the nickname which a colleague bestowed on Studer, the Pastry Chef that invented the recipe and whose family originated in Luxembourg. Luxemburgerli are available for online ordering or orders place over the phone and are shipped by airfreight worldwide. If in Zurich you need to visit Sprungli. They are obviously also the greatest place for the best chocolate in the world. You will be blown away.