Who can resist sweet, round and incredibly pretty macarons? These delicate delights are always particularly popular at this time of year, and an absolute crowd-pleaser for an afternoon treat or a stylish dessert. But where did macarons originate?
Sit back with your office lunch delivery from Crumbs Delivered as you contemplate the rich history of the French macaron, a truly defining moment in its pastry-making history! The macaron is a true icon of the country’s legendary gastronomic history and is emblematic of how refined French cooking really is.
The roots of the macaron date right back to medieval times, akin to many other pastries made with almonds. Its origins are believed to have been in the Middle East, where it was enjoyed as far back as the Middle Ages before being discovered by European travellers.
One can only imagine the contrast and amazement that they experienced when being presented with a colourful macaron for the first time! Back in this era, the macaron was simply a round, small crunchy sweet shell that melted in the mouth. Absolutely delicious.
Many regions have since claimed that the next evolution of the macaron was theirs, however, the history of this sweet treat emerges more clearly in the Renaissance. Royal queen, Catherine de Medici, brought a macaron back with her to France, where it was recreated by royal bakers. Over time it evolved to become the macaron we know today, with its sweet round ganache filling.
Macarons can be made with bitter almonds or sweet almonds, and the latter are combined with grated lemon to bring out their flavour. There is now a huge range of flavours as the macaron market has exploded in recent years, with its heart mainly concentrated in Paris.
Today we can enjoy everything from berry and lemon-flavoured macarons to coffee, chocolate and pistachio, offering the ultimate indulgence to everyone with a passion for fine French pastries. Which macaron flavour has captured your heart?