This is the 5th post in the No Macaron Left Behind challenge series and 10th in the “my waist line is expanding while my bank account is decreasing†series.
My time in Australia is rapidly coming to an end. In fact, this is my last Thursday in the country. *tear*
This also means that I’ve just about concluded the “No Macaron Left Behind” mission — WHOEVER THOUGHT THIS DAY WOULD COME?!
“But Heather,” I hear you saying, “you haven’t sampled ALL of the flavors Zumbo has to offer. I thought this was ‘NO macaron left behind’ challenge.”
Well, my friends, most good things must come to an end, and with Zumbo always creating quirky, innovative flavor combinations, this is a mission that could never really have an end. As I can’t stay in Oz forever, all I can really hope to say is that I gave it my best. My hips can attest that I tackled the mission quite well.
In addition to being quite successful in the mission, I am pretty pleased to have a role in macaron history — a 5-second bit of footage that the SBS crew filmed of me on Macaron Day was used in their Adriano Zumbo documentary series. My foodie friend “Ms. Gournmantic†highlighted my few seconds of fame on her blog.
Okay, I’m finally getting to the reason you’re reading this post — macaron flavors 55-59!
From 3 o’clock and moving clockwise we have Pandan, what is supposed to be Toasted white Chocolate, Gingerbread and honeycomb, Palm sugar, and Satay
55) Pandan
It tasted like what I’ve come to learn pandan tastes like, so I enjoyed it! A mild sweetness. Simple and tasty.
56) Toasted white chocolate(?)
The colors don’t suggest white chocolate, but the sign on the box of macarons read otherwise. When I asked for the flavor, this is what I received. It was full of flavor and foodgasmic…and tasted exactly like the Salted butter caramel one I had on Macaron Day. Thinking back to the visit to the shop, the Salted butter caramel was beside the “Toasted white chocolate” and I’m wondering if there may have been a mix up.
57) Gingerbread and honeycomb
What blue has to do with these flavors I have NO clue, but it’s pretty, right?! I was expecting a lot from this one and was a tad let down. The gingerbread flavor was recognizable, but nothing special, and I never found a hint of honeycomb on its own.
58) Palm sugar
With the exception of the most savory flavors, macarons are going to be sweet. This one was very subtle.
59) Satay
YUM, YUM, and more YUM! This was my favorite by far — in fact, it’s one of the few times I have said that I could’ve easily popped back a handful. I always split macarons in half or in thirds with (very willing) friends so I can sample more flavors at once, and I was very sad to give up the second half of this one (especially when my partner in crime said this was his LEAST favorite). Reminded of a nice peanut sauce with a slight touch of warmth. So good.
With less than one week left in Australia, I’m hoping I can squeeze in one last Zumbo visit, even if that means I’ll have to squeeze into my clothes for the next few months. And who knows…maybe I’ll win the lottery at home and return for Macaron Day later this year. One can dream, right?
Twitter Updates
Woohoo, glad you got to the end of your mission! The blue one sure is pretty, even if the taste was meh.
I can’t believe I’ve tasted so many. I’m just thankful I haven’t had to eat them all myself or I’d be in big trouble. Hopefully I have a few more to go!
jajaja love that you met your goal. I have never tried a Macaron, but will have to soon they look & sound so delicious!!!
You’ll have to check out Zumbo when you get here — maybe pick up where I left off 😉
A blue macaron? It’s pretty but doesn’t exactly look appetizing. I’m disappointed that you probably didn’t get a real toasted white chocolate because that sounds good! Oh, and I can’t believe you’re now leaving in less than a month!!!
Tomorrow is my last chance to go since he’s closed for the holidays every day between now and when I leave — except for tomorrow. Maybe I can sneak a few more in, including a real toasted white chocolate!
I’m with Laura – the blue would immediately turn me off to trying it. Good for you for continuing. Are you going to miss them?
I am going to miss them for sure! Visiting for macarons has been a part of my journey for more months than not. Whenever I can make it back in the future, a macaron run will be a must.
Time I made a comment I guess, yes I DO read all your posts, I always enjoy them, and think you are a pretty fair photographer! Just to prove I do read them, I LOVED the piccy of that very hot Holden Ve SS Ute you posted a while back, that blue is one grouse colour! I bet it even has a 6 litre V8 with the 6 speed manual box in it, did you get a squiz inside it?
It has been a pleasure having you stay with us Heather, and y’all come back real soon, y’hear? xxxx
Of course you loved the photo of the ute!! 🙂
Good on ya for tasting 59 flavors!! My mouth is watering & I’m ready to search out a pastry chef in Melbourne whose macarons can compete with Zumbo’s – who cares if it’s only 9 a.m., it would make for a nice treat this Easter weekend! 😉
I tried a few more flavors over the weekend — go treat yourself with something lovely from a place neither one of us has been to! That won’t be difficult as I really didn’t explore Melbourne food wise. Oh, and I heard Three Bags Full has hot cross bun french toast some time this weekend!
A blue ginger and honeycomb must be Zumbo’s clever idea of misguiding our senses!
Thanks for the mention and link, Heather. Every time I go into the queue, I think of you and your parents in front of us 🙂
I’m wondering if he’ll bring that one back for Macaron Day! I’m going to enter any contest available for the airlines to make it back this November O:-)