Hello from Australia’s National Capital and my home city, Canberra.
And before I forget… for any Americans out there, we pronounce it more like “Can-bra” than ”Can-BEAR-ah”. And Melbourne is more like “Mel-bahn” than “Mel-that-guy-played-by-Matt-Damon-when-he-had-amazing-biceps-but-I-wish-they-hadn’t-killed-off-Franka-Potente-because-I-like-Run-Lola-Run-and-that-was-the-first-DVD-my-family-owned-wait-where-was-I-oh-yes-macarons”.
Picard Macarons the First
A few weeks back I showcased the many macarons available at France’s Monoprix supermarkets. Today, I bring you macarons from the freezer aisle of Monoprix’s swankier cousin, Picard – Le Mecca of pre-prepared goodness.
For all your frozen foie gras needs. Because foie gras has NEEDS, yo.
But no one came here for savouries, did they? At least not today. So let’s get macaron-cracking with my first box of macarons from Picard (the second box will come later, promise).
I do like the colour of Picard's packaging more than Monoprix's.
1. Fruit de la Passion
This flavour was the Picard version of Monoprix’s Mangue-Passion, which was my least favourite of the Monoprix bunch. Luckily, Picard’s mango and passionfruit macaron was far nicer, simply because the flavour tasted real rather than fake. The mango was stronger than the passionfruit, particularly when one split the macaron and ate the thick, soft filling first. (Those Oreo ads have clearly had some influence in my life.)
No prizes for picking the fruit de la passion macarons.
2. Cassis-Violette
This, in contrast, was a flavour combination utterly unlike those found in the Monoprix freezer aisles. Blackcurrant and violet? It sounds… pretty. Now, I must admit I wasn’t certain what “cassis” was before tasting this. However, as soon as I placed it in my mouth I was back in my Grandma Mickey’s kitchen, drinking blackcurrant cordial and watching her stir spoonfuls of caster sugar into a grated granny smith apple, just for me.
So I can clearly affirm that this macaron encapsulates the flavour of blackcurrant, while also conveying the slightly deeper, darker, yet still delicately-floral taste of violet. Quite a rich and intense experience, all up.
Jam jam jam jam jam. (Anyone a Black Books' fan?)
3. Pistache
How did Picard’s pistachio macaron stack up against Monoprix’s version? Well, Picard’s was softer, as was the case with all of its flavours. It was also prettier, what with the pistachio crumbly bits dotted over the shell. Taste-wise? Winner winner! This had a strong and true pistachio flavour that reminded me of Vestri’s divine pistachio white chocolate. Unlike the vague nuttiness of Monoprix’s Gout Pistache, this was pistachio all the way. Yay, Picard. (Oooh, I just had an urge to do the Vulcan Salute.) (Also, I had to google “star trek hand signal” in order to find out that it’s called the Vulcan Salute. Just so you know.)
Hello again Mr. Blurry, I knew you couldn't have gone far.
4. Réglisse
This was the real surprise of the box – the licorice macaron. I detested licorice as a child, yet am starting to think that it’s time to give the real deal another try. I’ve found myself enjoying anise-flavoured and licorice-flavoured chocolates, and I really liked this macaron. The licorice flavour was subtle and the buttercream filling smooth, nutty, and sweet, with just a hint of herbal, smoky licorice. Definitely my favourite of this first Picard collection.
Looks like the licorice has been smooching the pistachio... naughty macarons.
I shall end here for the night, I think. I slept quite well yesterday but am flagging a bit now, which is partly to do with jetlag and partly to do with being a bit cranky at my toe.
See, first thing this morning I visited my doctor, and despite beginning to hope that antibiotics alone could cure the toe, such is not to be. In fact, not only do I need surgery again, but I need slightly more of it. Don’t get me wrong, I know that it is very minor surgery, and I’m hugely grateful that I managed to make it through four months of travelling. In addition, I recognise that having to sit in a chair watching movies and eating my travel souvenirs is hardly a tragedy. Still, it’s a bit frustratingly tedious to get stuck in non-moving-non-job-hunting-non-getting-on-with-life for the next little while. At least this time around, I have not only my Canberra buddies and family to keep me entertained but all of you and this blog, right?
Cheers, and thanks!
THEY SHOUDLN’T COMe LIKE THAT
its evil
I, too, am finding that as I grow up, the taste of licorice is gradually becoming less offensive. However, I just don’t think I can get past the black food coloring.
I, too, was sad when Franka Potente was killed off and refused to watch the next two. Your post makes me want to eat macarons so bad! I have always disliked licorice but maybe macaron is the right vehicle for this flavour. Hope your surgery procedure goes well
Hello! Oh man, I’ve been gone so long that you’re already back from your trip! I can’t believe all the different colours of those macarons. How much food colouring goes into those things? I’ve never had one in my life come to think of it but I do like the sound of the licorice one…always been a fan of licorice.
Oh, and good luck for your surgery. I think you are perfectly allowed to moan about it.
Sorry to hear that your toe is still giving you trouble
And can we dream of a day when supermarkets here start stocking macarons? Although would that mean that there is less magic about them? 
Wow, frozen macarons – who’d have thought it and that they’d look pretty decent.
I was going to try and make my own this or next weekend but if they were ever to just be found in box it’d sure save me a fair bit of mess and heartache.
Sorry to hear about your foot. Get it done, pronto!
Haha, the first part of your post makes me giggle lol
Supermarkets stocking macs? That will be great if it happens here…
Hopefully you are well now!
wow, frozen macarons and foie gras, just as long as you dont get the too boxes mixed up, everything should be fine!!
So many different flavours to try and they all actually sound quite good for a frozen product.
Hope you’re toe gets better soon, sounds like it would be a bit sore
Fiona: How can it be wrong when it tastes so right?
Camille: It’s not food colouring, it’s the tears of an emo teenager. I almost got the pear and licorice treat at Ble Sucre when we went, but in the end I wasn’t sure enough that I don’t detest licorice
Laura: I, too, have never seen the last ones – we shall be Bourne-avoiders together. And thanks, though I don’t even know when the procedure will be yet!
Vaala: I was just thinking the other day that I hadn’t heard from you lately, so hi!
And welcome as the seemingly sole licorice-lover. Also, lucky for you I’ve got a plethora of travel posts still to go!
Lorraine: I’d trade in magic for a ready supply of legitimate pistachio buttercream!
Kath: I’m hoping for pronto too! And good luck if you do try making macarons… the recipes I’ve read scare me
Anh: We should start a macaron petition! But then again, I can’t really see Woolies or Coles going that upscale… Hmm.
Maria: Haha, yes, I don’t think I’d enjoy a meat-flavoured dessert. Thanks for the toe well-wishes… though the real soreness won’t start until post-surgery, I think!
ha, that’s for the correct pronunciations!
I have a feeling that a visit to Picard coming up in my future sometime. I too can’t help but think of the Starship Enterprise by the mere mention of Picard. Had never considered frozen macarons, but willing to give them a go. Such a thrillseeker. I don’t like liquorice either, horrible stuff.
Simply Life: I’ve got your back!
Louise: Definitely go! I’ll be mighty envious if you have access to a kitchen and can make proper use of it – apparently, a lot of French people shop there in a fairly legitimate way. The thawed-from-frozen macarons are definitely the more budget-friendly way to go, and really weren’t too bad!
http://picard.ytmnd.com/
What I am looking forward to most after undergrad is a kitchen. Macarons are a daunting task, but then again, what else to do with my joblessness? Jam and pistachio are especially enticing.
Lauren: Kitchen was up there on my “looking forward to returning to” list, along with watching Ellen and working on my cross-stitch
A part of me wants to have a go at macarons, but in all honesty I’m just not enough in love with them. Making my own flavoured peanut butter, on the other hand…