Macarons. Macaroons. Macaroni. Nope, we haven’t had too much coffee and started talking gibberish. And yeah, your eyes are working perfectly fine. We really did say macarons, macaroons and macaroni! Confusing, right? So what are macarons? And, erm, macaroons? And what exactly is the difference between macarons and macaroons? (We’re assuming you know what macaroni is all about! 😉 ) Read our short (and oh-so-sweet) post which tells you ALL you need to know about these delicate little desserts with a shared and interesting past.
Macarons? Macaroons? Macaroni!
The Difference Between Macarons & Macaroons!
First off, let’s get our pronunciations right. Yes, we can be slightly nitpicky when it comes to our desserts 😉
The difference between macarons and macaroons? Its more than just the pronunciation! (Image Credit: www.blogilates.com)
Now that that bit’s sorted, lets dig deep into the delicious past of a dessert that, back in the day, had taken all of Europe by storm and still continues to be somewhat of a star on the dessert scene!
Let’s begin with MACARONS!
Delightful, delicate French ‘macarons’ are made of almond, sugar and egg whites. The airy meringue sandwiches consist of light shells, crunchy on the outside and slightly chewy on the inside; held together by a ganache, buttercream or jam filling.
“Did you know that the macaron was originally knows as the ‘Gerbet’ or ‘Paris Macaron’?”
Macaroons on the other hand are flour-less, unleavened cookies made with egg white, sugar and unleavened coconut. If you break down the recipe of macarons and macaroons, the basic ingredients are the same: egg whites, sugar and either ground almonds or shredded coconut. In fact the word ‘macaroon’ is the English translation of the French word ‘macaron’.
The ‘Macaroon’ in all its coconutty glory!
History reveals that macaroons were originally made with almond paste too. Then some innovative bakers (much like us, ahem!) tried making macaroons with shredded coconut and this coconutty version became extremely popular with the European Jewish community.
Macaroons have their origin in Italy; the Arabs first introduced the concept of ‘almond paste candies’ in Italy; this traditional Arabic sweet later evolved into macaroons in their current form. Macarons on the other hand, were developed in France, when Catherine di Medici of Italy married the King of France.
Which Mac will it be today? (Image Credit: www.craftsy.com)
Despite their shared history and many similarities though, you can really tell the difference between macarons and macaroons when you see and taste the final baked product and realize that they couldn’t possible be any more different! Macaroons are a chewy, hearty confectionery; a mound of shredded coconut, lightly sweetened and held together by egg whites. Crunch into one today if you can! Macarons on the other hand are light, airy fairy, delicate little cream sandwich cookies. Bite into one and you’ll instantly be waltzing down the streets of Paris with a dream on your lips…sigh!
Bite into a macaron…and waltz straight into Paris!
Fun Fact: Did you know that macarons and macaroni have a shared history as well? Both have the same origin- both words mean ‘fine dough’.
The first macarons were simple, round cookies; it was only in the beginning of the 20th century that the macaron took on its double decker form when Pierre Desfontaines had the idea to ‘stick them together’ with a chocolate ganache filling. Since then macarons have been the popular subjects of much experimentation with their shape, flavour, filling and a wide variety of colours. They’re available today in some pretty wild and wacky colours and in flavours ranging from the regular raspberry and chocolate to the exotic foie gras and matcha!
From the regular to the exotic, pick your fave macaron flave!
Even Carrie and gang in Sex & the City couldn’t resist the macaron charm! (Image Credit: pinterest.com; Macaron in Sex & the City)
Fun Fact: During the French Revolution two nuns were apparently saved from starvation by baking and selling macarons! These nuns became famous as ‘The Macaron Sisters’. A sooper way to stave off hunger, we say!
Popularly known as the ‘most coveted cookie in Paris’, macarons have always been trend setters! From Valentine’s Day to Mother’s Day; the star of an afternoon tea party to the perfect way to begin your day with your morning cuppa, macarons fit in (and are welcomed!) everywhere! The French city of Montmorillon is renowned for its macarons and even has a macaron museum as well as one of the oldest macaron bakeries, the Maison Rannou-Metivier dating back to the 1920s.
Fun Fact: Macarons are so popular in France that even McDonald’s sells them in their McCafes! Check it out on your next trip to Paris!
We at Con Affetto have been in love with macarons FOREVER and we can’t wait for Macaron Day on March 20th. Watch this space for our favourite macaron recipes! Until then, keep spreading the macaron love 
Buy ’em, gift ’em and most importantly, if you haven’t done it already, go out there and EAT one today!
