It's embarrassing yes - the sign "Parisian Macaroons" spells the name of this delicate French biscuit (of sorts) incorrectly. It's not macaroon (phonetically ma-ca-roon) it's macaron (phonetically ma-ca-raun). You won't believe how many people get the spelling and pronunciation wrong. Macaroons are in fact something completely different to these lovely macarons - see the photo on the Wikipedia article on macaroons.
Kerry-Anne bought a few of these lovelies when visiting Ladurée in Paris earlier this year - later to discover that Daniela's in the Cape Quarter sells macarons that (to me) taste exactly like the one's that she babied on the flight from Paris to South Africa!
If you haven't yet tasted one of these - visit Daniela's and spend R10 to buy one - you'll love 'em!
Helen
Cassis Paris in Gardens Centre also do them. Delicious! Vanilla is my favourite.
Cristina
what a pity!! Sundy I was at the Cape Quarter and I forgot to by some maccarons.
I like them very much. I’ve tasted them also at the Myatt in Waterfront http://myattcafe.com/ very good also the light lunch we had there.
Paul
Post authorHelen, Cristina, OMW… thanks for sharing these places with us. We’ll certainly be visiting!
Bev
Macaroons – say no more I just love them…Lol
Eleonora
And despite your long explanation, everyone still spells it wrong!
Delicious…
Ali
It looks lekker, Paul. In Germany, we have Makronen, a word that is educed from french macaron. Your version looks more colorful. :)
Cristina
Bev you are wright!!! I am Italian and maccheroni is written with 2 C. It comes natural to me !!….. But the french delight are colled Macarons.
Paul
Post authorThanks Ali – that link however appears to be a pic of Macaroons, not Macarons.
Cristina, ah, I see – I wondered about the spelling. Kerry-Anne thought that one may spell it with two Cs in Italian… but, now I see – Maccheroni! :)
Ali
Yes, Paul. In English, it’s a Macaroon. But we call it Makrone -> no spelling mistakes. :)
Maccheroni, Christina? How about Macaroni? Now, I’m a little bit confused. *lol*
Cristina
in italian the pasta is: the singular maccherone and the plural maccheroni
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maccheroni
I’m sure that the French (very fond of Italians!!!) have choosen the word macarons to keep a certain distance from the italian word.
Daniela Dotan
Hi Paul, Thanks for your post! It’s a gorgeous photo and I’d love to order a print!
I’m so pleased you enjoyed our delicate treats and thrilled that they compare to the authentic “Macarons de Paris”
Ladurée, the house that invented the current cookie-sandwich phenomena, uses macaroon on their English site.
My shop is meant for locals so I’ve adopted the english spelling too!
Hope to see you soon!
Daniela :)
Paul
Post authorDaniela, it’s a pleasure. Thanks for your message and explanation.
You’re right, they do! I’m gobsmacked – I believe Ladurée’s copywriters are in error though. I found this article that explains the difference and then this one that sites a pastry chef’s indignation at MasterChef judges who should have known the difference:
“‘They are two different things and the judges should have known better,’ Zumbo said. He said a macaron is characterised by a dome-shaped biscuit made of egg whites and almond meal, hard to the touch with a chewy interior. A macaroon is a small meringue cake, typically made of coconut and often dipped in chocolate.”
Nevertheless, spelling aside, yours are delightful. As I said, they’re every bit as good as the originals bought from Ladurée. And, oh, btw, your green and gold ones around the time of the World Cup – they were especially tasty!
paul.
ps. Email me if you’d like a print. :)
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