Who doesn’t like macarons? I mean, how can anyone not be charmed by its adorable little shape, to its crumbly texture that suggests mouth-melting awesomeness to its thin layer of cream that only adds jest and flavor to that tiny little pastry?
I ‘fess up that I’m one of those that break out into squeals when I see something cute-pastries don’t go overlooked here. About what I find adorable, that will probably be left for another post.
Macarons aren’t new here; in fact they have probably been here a while before the trend (could this be considered one?) really caught on. Suddenly it exploded into full bloom and everyone wants a bite of that minuscule biscuit that comes in the colors of the rainbow. Everyone, including me-but then again yours truly has always been rather late to hop on bandwagons. I see them more and more often lately but was hesitant to loosen my purse strings to buy some because… well. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to fork out RM 4.50 for one biscuit. Sure it looks amazing, but what if it tasted weird?
Yesterday, I finally picked up the courage (and money) to go ahead and try some with my sister while we were at Suria KLCC. The location was Isetan, on their supermarket floor. We stumbled across a small stall selling what was left of the day’s macarons. And there were a small group of people clustered around it, presumably taking in the colors that only macarons can acquire. So, we bought four. The flavors were Green Tea, Lemon, Apricot and Chocolate Mint.
We didn’t eat it until we got back. And when we did, the result was… kinda unexpected.
I tried the Green Tea one first. And it didn’t taste remotely like green tea. I drink green tea twice a week so I suppose that I should more or less grasped the essence of that flavor. Which the bright green macaron rather lacked. It tasted sweet, more or less.
Sister tried the lemon one. It was lemon cream sandwiched in between purple colored macarons. Very unusual, but there was some lemon-y taste there (I tried it too).
Chocolate mint was chocolate mint. It only further reconfirmed the fact that I really don’t like mint chocolate. To my taste buds, they don’t go together. Not at all.
Apricot was weird! Not only was it a neon orange (looking uncannily like our orange laundry basket) hue but it tasted nothing like apricot! There was a funny aftertaste that I am sure had no relation to the flavor. I’m positive that apricot isn’t flavored like that. But then again, for RM 2.50 a pop, it’s safe to assure that artificial flavoring was used. Without a doubt, food coloring takes credit for the colors-much to my mum’s disapproval. I get what she meant, however-brightly colored food is somewhat alarming, but in the macarons’ case it’s softened somewhat by a simple and… docile appearance?
So, no macarons for me in a hurry, until I stumble upon more worthy macarons (of quality that is). I suppose for this, you really have to pay for a better gastronomic experience.
If anyone is wondering where this macaron stall is, it’s not far from the Isetan supermarket cashiers. And the Sun Moulin Bakery. You can’t miss it. Unless the stall has moved. But if you want to give it a shot, go ahead, and tell me if you feel the same way as I did. Hopefully not, though. I hope it’s just me.
this menagerie, nevermore. 