Macarons: Origin of the Famous French pastry

Who invented macarons?

Macarons are one of the most famous pastries in France today. Small soft desserts molded in a round shape, with various colors and tastes, the macaron was a great success. But who invented the macaron and what is its history? We will see that its history is long and diverse.

The origin of macarons

The history of the macaron begins in the Middle Ages. According to several food historians, macarons were created in Arab countries when Europeans started to sail away from their lands. Then, during the Renaissance, they made their appearance in France thanks to Catherine De Medici when she married the Duke of Orleans, the future king of France. The macaron of that time was also prepared with almonds, sugar, and egg whites, but it was then presented in the form of a simple cookie. It is still far from the essential pastry of today.

A dessert that made its mark in France

After the appearance of this pastry in France, many regions have taken and adapted the recipe. It is this emulation that makes the origin of macarons fascinating. For example, the macaron of Lorraine was invented in the 18th century under the aegis of the Dames du Saint-Sacrement. There is also the macaron of Boulay whose recipe dates back to 1854. macarons with regional recipes are then sold in Montmorillon or in Ardèche with the Joyeux Ardèche. In Paris, it was only in 1830 that the Parisian pastry cooks decided to assemble them two by two by filling them with a small jam called "ganache". Then, the store Ladurée, one of the most famous, popularized it by naming it "Le Macaron Parisien".

Flavors such as pistachio, raspberry, hazelnut, and vanilla are classic tastes of macarons. However, major brands such as Ladurée or Picard have developed new original flavors and there is no doubt that other creations will be created very soon.

Literature, often useful to date the events of everyday life, evokes the creation of the macaron as early as the 16th century. Rabelais was the first writer to talk about this "small round pastry".

Why are macarons round?

There is a legend around the round shape. The story of the macaron tells that a monk used to knead almond paste with his shirt off. One day, very tired, he fell from exhaustion and left a trace of his navel on the dough. At that moment, the macaron took the shape of a round.

A very unique legend whose validity has never been proven.

How to make macarons: https://youtu.be/2L1zbAOQ3EI