Stop & Smell the Macarons

The last two weeks have simply flown by. Has it really been that long since I was drinking bubbly in Macaron Heaven?! A virtual wonderland of macarons in every colour and flavour befitting the warm Spring afternoon.


Zo and I were two lucky bloggers to be invited to J'aime les Macarons "Stop & Smell the Macarons" party to launch their new season Summer2011/12 Collection of Macaron flavours. Zo had already been fortunate enough to attend their Winter party, but for me it was the first time.

Not long before I entered this new world, we were gifted a glass of bubbles, from there we soon kicked off our shoes to dip our feet into the warm tropical sands and nibble on a Pineapple or Passionfruit, all the while listening to the waves gently crash against the beach as Coconut macarons were scattered all around.

Cocktails, Pink Grapefruit and Campari Macarons greeted us as we made our way back from this tropical macaron paradise to the calming centre of Green Tea and Jazz.

A walk through the fragrant gardens offered up scents of Citrus trees, Mandarin and Milk chocolate, paths were littered with rose petals, Raspberry, Rose & Lychee. Honey bees gathered on the long stems of Lavender & Honey, as wafts of Fresh Cut Grass blew over from the backyard.

Finally we were invited to pick our own punnets of Strawberries and refresh our palates with Basil & Lime, or Fresh Mint.

Yes! An amazing 12 new flavours! To be honest it would have been a mammoth effort to sample every flavour in that one afternoon, so thankfully Amanda and Bridget let us collect up a little parcel of the gems to take home.

My fairies eyes sure did light up when they sighted my goodies, but extreme patience was required as I wanted to get some more shots of them in the studio. I know, a huge ask! But we managed it and saved them until we could all share them together. I was fortunate enough to score all but 1 flavour, (the Raspberry, Rose and Lychee) for our Marshall family "Macaron World Cup" tasting.

Each macaron was carefully cut in 4 and the Basil & Lime was the firm favourite and a sure winner. Followed by the Fresh Mint, surprisingly the Fresh Cut Grass came in third and Mandarin and Milk Chocolate a close forth.

However with such a beautiful array of colours and flavours I personally wouldn't say no to trying any of them again.




Do you know what I love most about having "J'aime les Macarons" in Christchurch though? It's how I can easily get a range of different flavours, more than I could ever dream to bake myself at one time. I can make a rainbow! Instantly adorn my desserts to make them that much more special, without having to remember to age the egg whites, cross all my fingers and toes for "feet!"



J'aime les Macarons deliver nationwide in New Zealand, and if you're in Christchurch you can catch up with them at 9F Normans Road, Strowan or the Christchurch Farmers Market at Riccarton Bush on Saturdays.

http://jaimelesmacarons.co.nz