This is the 3rd post in the No Macaron Left Behind challenge series and 4th in the “my waist line is expanding while my bank account is decreasing†series.
The last time I brought some macaron magic into your life, I had just sampled 22 flavors from Adriano Zumbo’s Balmain location. Add this to the 15 I had already tried from the Rozelle store, and in just over two months I had tasted 37 varieties. It’s a small wonder I can still fit through the front door of my flat.
The healthy lifestyle gal in me can’t wait to get back on track with my eating habits, but until I leave Sydney, the No Macaron Left Behind challenge remains in full swing!
So what have I been up to between Macaron Day and the present? Flavors 38-46:
38) Francesco (maybe it was called “francesco chocolate”?)
This was my dessert on Thanksgiving day. Seriously! I popped into the shop before work and miraculously limited myself to one. The name didn’t readily identify what the macaron would taste like, and when I asked the girl behind the counter, she shrugged with a smile and said it was another crazy thing Zumbo had done…something about chocolate and candy.
Since I ate it at work, there’s no photo O:-) But I promise that the shell was brownish-red with a green swirl and the filling was thick and brown — on top was a chocolate “coin”/disc. This batch must have just come out from being chilled because the filling was more solid/firm than any I’d had so far. It was also the most RICH of all the fillings to date. It tasted like chocolate while the shell had a faint Pop Rocks/lollipop taste!
39) Eggplant & chocolate
Ate it at work = no photo (oops). Purple shell with chocolate filling. A very earthy flavor to the shell and macaron overall with a distinctly chocolate aftertaste. Not a big fan.
40) Eucalyptus — you guessed it, no photo!
Green of course! Herbal flavor comes out more as you taste but not overly powerful. Still, you have to like the idea of the flavor to enjoy this one.
41) Peach tea — yet another one tried before work
Peachy shell with light tea colored filling. I was worried that the tea flavor would overpower the peach, but both flavors were robust. Was very pleased that I could taste the peach and tea as individual flavors and also as a happy blend. Could seriously drink this one!
42) Bloody Mary
On the other hand, this one was NOT so drinkable.
First impression — “eww!” Felt like I was eating mayonnaise. But in fairness I took another timid bite and tasted the tomato and noticed nice spiciness/heat/burn! Very clever. In no way a repeat, but one of his most unique to date.
43) Raspberry & licorice
I adore raspberry but still can’t quite figure out how I feel about licorice so I thought this would simply rank as “okay” or even be a disaster — was I in for a big surprise! The raspberry greeted me first followed by just enough licorice flavor to enjoy it and not have it overpower the flavor combination. And in AZ fashion, there was a bit of actual licorice in the middle. This little gem ranks in my top list.
44) Apricot & rosemary
Bottom right
Rosemary shell with a bit of apricot in the filling. Neither flavor stood out (not that you’d want the rosemary to be too strong), and it was a little underwhelming for me. I wanted to like it more but wasn’t meant to be.
45) Passionfruit & basil
I was VERY excited to try this one! The passionfruit flavor was definitely there while the basil was understandably more subtle…maybe a little too much so? Was really hoping for a more noticeable basil aftertaste, but probably the right balance of flavors.
46) Cinnamon
Right away I noticed the cinnamon dusting on the shell and that the cinnamon filling was ooooooozing from the middle. One bite and I was immediately taken back to childhood and Toaster Strudels — FAR from being a healthy breakfast, but boy did I love the warm cinnamon filling and the icing you piped on from the tiny, plastic packet. Sadly I was sharing 44-46 or I would have kept this one all to myself. Simple cinnamon FTW.
BONUS treat — “Chill my nuts” (gluten free too!)
To make up for the lack of photos on the first macarons, here’s the velvety smooth, chocolate cake of GOODNESS I bought from Adriano Zumbo’s brand new store in Manly (1a/40 East Esplanade – but enter from Wentworth Ave) — along with macarons 44-46.
Zumbo gives wacky names to his cakes, and this one was “Chill my nuts”. I failed to jot down the various flavors & layers, but it was something like: a chocolate mousse, flourless chocolate chili cake, peanut butter something, and caramelized rice bubbles. I believe they were in that order, from top to bottom. The crunchy bottom layer with the rice cereal was a nice addition to balance the smoothness of the other 85% of the dessert. The mousse was one of the best I’d ever had. The cake could almost have been mistaken for the mousse, as it was flourless and therefore most likely rich — but we didn’t taste the chili! My favorite part without question was the peanut butter layer. I tried to convince my friend to swap the peanut butter layer in his last few bites for the rice bubbles, mousse, and cake in mine. Didn’t happen.
What’s next for the Mission?!
My time in Sydney is rapidly coming to a close (more on that next post), so I only have a few more weeks to try as many macarons as possible. I won’t be able to try EVERY flavor Zumbo offers, but that won’t stop me from trying. Thank goodness I have friends to share these with — could never eat them all on my own (though my expanding body would suggestion otherwise).
Thanks to my partner in crime with macarons 42-26 — who also took all of the photos above but one. At least I helped with composition and editing O:-)
Twitter Updates
OMG, I’m not exactly sure what macaron is, but if it looks delish! Eeeek!!! And so colorful and cute! Are they like, ice cream sandwich type thing?
I’d never tried one until this past September and was an instant fan! It’s a little bite of heaven mostly made of egg whites, almond flour, and sugar — creating a thin, crispy layer on the outer bit of the shell and a softer one inside. In the middle is a cream. They’re small but can pack a lot of flavor 🙂
Do a few searches for “french macarons” and you’ll see so many fun colors and flavors!!
Eggplant & chocolate? I love eggplant. I love chocolate. But the two together kinda brings about the gag reflex. You are a brave gal with these macarons!
I love both individually as well, but the combo just didn’t do it for me.
And I’m not always brave…I refused to try “sweet musk” the other day…*blech*!
Musk flavored? Ewwww.
Oh my! I was always amazed at the number of ‘musk’ flavored things in Oz! Gum, candy, and now macarons? Yucka! I do want to try some of these flavors though, so I’ll be searching for a place while we’re there in Dec! 🙂
The Raspberry & licorice flavour sounds great! But I think the cinnamon is the winner for me. I haven’t been back since we met at Macaron day so I’m due for a visit soon 🙂
I’m really keen to try the tarts & cakes — I’ve only had the one you see above and a passionfruit tart. Too busy sampling macarons O:-) Hopefully we can squeeze in a visit together before I go!
Chill my nuts, AAAAHHHHAHAHA, hilarious! I love that they are creative with the names.
And honestly out of all of them, the first one you said, the Francesco sounds like something I would enjoy the most. That being said, some of those weird flavor combinations sneak up on you 🙂
I hope this series never ends. I adore it. Seriously.
Thanks Kyle 🙂 Sadly it will be ending soon, but if/when I make it back to Sydney in the years to come, I’ll always venture back to Adriano Zumbo for a macaron (or two or…).
As always this post is drool-worthy! I still can’t get over those flavors and the way the macaroons look, maybe I just don’t know enough about desserts! That cake seriously looks like heaven!
P.S. I think you should find a way to stay in Oz so when I come at the end of the year we can start the challenge all over! That and, finally, meet!
I’d never seen or tasted a macaron before AZ — life changing, I tell you 😉
And you have no idea — I am feeling really bummed that people are coming as I’m leaving. I mean, I’ve LOVED meeting great folks in the last 8 months…just wish I could stay to meet those that are still to come! Who knows…maybe I’ll be back in Oz for a visit before your time here is up! One can hope.
Brings back wonderful delicious memories of us sitting on the steps near the store and trying each of those 22 macarons in Nov….
Now mom, we didn’t try ALL 22 at once O:-) Can you imagine if we had?!
As always Adriano doesn’t mess around when it comes to weird & wonderful flavours (often both!).
Good thing your challenge doesn’t include the range of cakes that he has too… 🙂
Simon, I’d be in SO much trouble if it included his cakes! But I am tempted to try another on my next visit O:-)
I always enjoying reading your macaron posts! Love the way you showcase them in the pics – you are great at plating food to highlight just how delicious it is – maybe you should think about changing your career to food photographer? 🙂
Sorry babe, it wasn’t all me O:-) I helped, but someone else took most of the photos 🙂
Oh man, I just left Sydney (was only there for a day), and also sampled some macarons. You’re seriously making my mouth water with this post. I’ve got to get back!
Your pictures are fab and the licorice one does sound divine!
Wow, I don’t know I’ve met anybody else that have tasted more macarons than you, Heather! The apricot-rosemary one, thank goodness you have the photo, looks, mmm, moldy, oops. Sorry, but it looks like what halloween treats might get colored – mold color.
I love macarons, and I love the ones I ate in Paris. In Sydney, I never chase macarons to their special places. ust in the coffee shops, and they are just okay I think. I’m not very adventurous about the taste either. I most often choose the boring but heavenly mocha.
Will you think less of me if I admit to never having had a Maccaron? I actually had to Wiki them to find out what they are.
Not at all! I did not know until a few months ago!!!
Care to meet up to try one this week?
I am so glad I am not the only one that eats first and asks questions (or takes photos) later. Some of these combinations I would never try – you are much more adventurous than I, madam!
Hi Heather, I have just discovered your blog and I am glad to discover that I’m not the only one on this planet to be obsessed by these colourful pastries! I too have set out on a mission to find the best (in Adelaide… and if I ever get i/s or o/s, then there too!). I have also started to bake them! Have you tried to bake them yourself yet?
Karolina — another macaron fan….LOVE IT!
I just checked out your blog. So impressed you’re making them! I haven’t had the kitchen facilities to give it a go yet, but I certainly will once I’m back home 🙂
I see they’re difficult to find in Adelaide. Let me know of places you may have found there. I’ll be in Adelaide again late Feb or early March!!
Hey Heather,
I think you and I have done a almost opposite switch – I was living in Sydney and have moved to Canada for a career break too (I’m the same age too!). Anyway, I stumbled across your blog through Twitter, saw your Inner West post and then this one & just had to comment. I used to live in Balmain, and I adore (& miss!) Zumbo – that man is amazing.
Happy travels through that beautiful country!
Deb
Hey Deb — how cool that you found me! I’m heading to the Balmain Zumbo location some time this week for my 2nd-to-last macaron visit. So sad O:-)
I see the Kiva badge on your blog too — I should put one on mine because I just have a links on my link page.
Thanks for checking out my posts. Will check out you and your tea loving adventures too!
So jealous of your Balmain Zumbo visit 😉 Have a macaron for me, or one of those cute passion-fruit tarts that he does a-maz-ing!!
Oh yes — the first thing I ever had there was a passionfruit tart!!
Given what I do for a living I like anything sweet! Those macarons sure look good to me.