CCU jumped for joy when her parents came in carrying a sweet, rectangular box, so filled to the brim with macarons that there was barely any space for air in there! She swooned, she smelled and she enjoyed, wondering when her not-so-fun studies would let up and finally allow her to visit the Patissier herself. She grasped a macaron, bit into it, the shell cracking and the soft ganache filling oozing out, and she grinned a little harder…
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All right my darlings, this is something new that I plan on introducing to you! As you well know, it is impossible to try everything at bakeries and ice cream parlours all in a quick hit, no matter how much you haunt their premises! For that reason, I have decided to do some ongoing reviews which will allow me to show you BRILLIANT EATS, but then keep adding to them as I keep visiting 🙂
Oh please, no applause, you are all too sweet *catches a rose thrown from the audience*
It is a diary – Dear diary, today I ate this from here. Dear diary, today I ate that from here. – Just much more interesting than that I assure you 😉
And I promise to keep you updated whenever I update my diary by telling you in the corresponding newest post – hope you all enjoy!
*Note:
I will not be doing diary reviews for restaurants or cafes, even a second review of them would be a rarity.
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Dear Diary,
2nd June 2013
I have been to Adriano Zumbo Patisserie before. Anyone who lives in Australia, would probably have visited, just because he has quickly become an Australian icon after being presented on Masterchef. He is a genius. I don’t know if I have already ranted about how wonderful he is as a baker (and my friends who did work experience at his cafe, tell me) and as a person! 😀
If you think he sounds familiar to you on this blog, I have also visited his Dessert Train Cafe in Star City! Just from those desserts you can tell how gifted Zumbo is!
His hands are magic, butter smiles at him and egg whites. They are his baby. Simple as that 🙂
Perhaps, no matter his incredible cake layering or choux pastry is, he is known most for his macarons. He does chocolate, he does vanilla, he does strawberry.
He also does pigs blood (which I don’t think he sells though!), hamburgers and vegemite!
Creativity knows no bounds with this man – he goes against convention in his converse! 🙂
Anyway, because he can, his macarons are not normal macarons – they are zumbarons, they are ever changing in the flavours available at his Patisserie in Balmain. I cannot offer you pictures of his patisserie in this entry, but I certainly can give you a mighty fabulous taste of all his maca…zumbarons!
Here is a list of the current Zumbarons:
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I give you this for a reason but for now, let’s get started! Texturally for all of them, they were actually perfect with a crack on the first bite, moist and soft inside and perfectly proportionate amount of filling (except for one, as you shall see, where they were a little over-generous!). If I had to comment on anything, I would say for some of the macarons, I was a bit disappointed at how their feet turned out barely risen (which happens from even slightly over-folding the batter) because when you compare them to the incredible Gourmet Getaway’s, the difference is obvious! But honestly, in the long run, quite a small thing which I am sure they will improve 🙂
- Cherry Coconut – This one was very soft to hold but still had a good crack and tasted a bit like a Cherry Ripe turned macaron 🙂 – I liked that the chocolate was not overwhelming and had a hint of cherry essence in it and the desiccated coconut all around it was aesthetically and texturally fantastic. And the colour, I am a girl, how could I not adore it?! 🙂
- Caramel au Beurre Sale – Salted Butter Caramel (you are glad I do French non?) – There is a big hit of strong flavour which makes the name of this macaron pretty easy to figure out. It is salty, smooth and delicious, and feels like you are spooning freshly made caramel. Certainly lives up to its name!
- Bread & Butter Pudding – The first thing I thought of when I ate this was eggnog actually but you know how bread and butter pudding has a slightly eggy taste due to pouring the dairy all over the bread before baking? Well, as crazy as it seems, all that is encompassed in this small, pure white macaron. It had the aftertaste of eating white bread soaked in milk or custard which was incredible!
- Passionfruit – It is like a big hit tropical just hit my mouth with this one, because the flavour is tingly and delicious and exactly like passionfruit without a hint of artificialness, which is so hard to find 😀 – I also loved the aesthetic seeds on top to make the macaron resemble a passionfruit, it was too cute!
- Caramel Banana Balsamic – If anyone can mix together brown sugar, balsamic, banana and caramel, it is Zumbo! On eating this, you taste sweetness with a tartness cutting through (the Balsamic) and it works really well together, As delicious as it is, unfortunately, it did overpower the initial taste of any banana, though oddly enough, I was left with an aftertaste as if I had eaten a banana lolly... 😛
- Salted Butter Caramel on Toast – This tasted exactly the same as the Caramel au Buerre Sale BUT, had flecks of crunchiness for the toast which made it live up to its name. It was quite an innovative flavour and delicious, though the caramel was a little over generous – I know, why would I even complain, but it did take away from the crunchiness in the macaron and become a little cloying in its sweetness
- Pineapple – Infused in both the cream and shell, Spongebob could have been living in this macaron! It was refreshing and delicious and definitely one of my favourites of the day!
- Fingerbun – You know how people say they have a party in their mouth when they chew bubblegum or eat bubblegum flavoured candy? THEY ARE WRONG! Fingerbun flavoured macarons – THEY are a party in your mouth! I fail to be able to explain how he does it, but in this macaron, I could feel the flavour of the soft bun coming from the cream, the delicious slightly-articial frosting coming from the macaron, topped off by sprinkles of coconut. If anyone has eaten at Baker’s Delight, this tastes equivalent to their Coconut Fingerbun, with 1/4 of the calories 🙂 – And it was a real delight when I found real raisins inside the filling – it was awesome!
- Pear And Almond – I am a huge fan of pear lollies, jellybeans, the works but they are quite the under-appreciated candy fruit. BUT NOT IN ZUMBO’s WORLD! Honestly, it was such a fresh burst of pear jelly-ish flavour, it was almost overwhelming and while delicious 🙂 How gorgeous is the colour! There was a real almond in the centre was a fantastic surprise but I wish the almond flavour had been spread throughout the macaron – personal preference!
- Popcorn – A long time ago, I made Popcorn Ice Cream. It was brilliant. The cream inside this macaron tasted exactly the same, the shell was crackling with popcorn flavour and then to top it off, it was dipped in crushed, buttery kernels – GENIUS! And I think my favourite from the box, what I would not give to have a popcorn box full of these babies 🙂
Now, I had two flavours that I could not name, be it bad tongue or just… it happens! 😉 – Let me describe them to you and from the list above, hopefully you will find out which ones they are – leave your suggestions in the comments below!
- Flaky and delicious, with a very strange, almost foreign sweet taste to me, I was hedging on it being Pecan Danish, though cannot be sure since I do not eat pecans enough. What I do know is that it was texturally and taste-wise almost perfect!’
- This one had the prettiest colour in the history of colours and I initially thought Choc Pudding from the taste but then it had a slight berry-ish tang, which made me question – Blackberry? A confused flavour, it seemed like a mix of both which made it very very delicious 🙂 There was a tangy liquid in between which was a surprise but I couldn’t tell since it was not strong and blackberry…
Now, do not worry mes cheris, I did not devour 12 macarons in one sitting, though everyone knows I have the capacity to 😉
I nibbled each and reported back to you, all in the name of science, research and yadda yadda yadda…
And so ends my first diary entry! 😀
Adriano Zumbo Patisserie
Address:
296 Darling St
Balmain, NSW 2040
Websites:
- http://adrianozumbo.com
- http://adrianozumbo.com/patisserie-menu/
- http://adrianozumbo.com/patisserie-balmain/
Until next time Diary, xoxo, Choc Chip 😉
P.S I am sorry it is taking me so long to announce a winner for my giveaway and it is way overdue but I promise, by next weekend, I will announce the winner – eep!
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When we visited Sydney in Oct 2012, we visited 2 of Zumbo Patisserie stores. We bought every flavor you can imagine! Shared with our relatives there and had them with tea! 😛
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Oh man… Macarons are dangerous in my house. I have a son who’s crazy in love with macarons and I have to fight the last piece. I tend to eat extra when he’s sleeping at night (what kind of mom am I…). I enjoyed eating/viewing your macarons… 😀
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I certainly do not blame you my friend, macarons have ruined many relations 😉
Cheers
CCU
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I love zumbarons! My favourite is the popcorn one, though I also like the passionfruit and watermelon ones. I’m definitely going to pick up a box when I’m in Sydney next month, hopefully they’ll have the hamburger flavoured one then!
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After seeing this I am sure I am going to be dreaming of macarons tonight. These look fabulous! How does one choose? Just gobble all of them.
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Adore your diary entry here. : ) I love macarons – who can resist with all the colors and flavors, although I have to admit that I still love the classics the most. You are very good to simply nibble on them instead of devouring all 12 in one sitting. I try to be good, too, but it is hard, particularly as a Laduree opened up in NYC last year. : )
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Haha thank you it took a lot of control not to! Oh my gosh, we have a Laduree in Sydney as well, it is absolutely incredible!
Cheers
CCU
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I would have such a difficult time picking which one to try first! They all look wonderful! Have a great day Uru!
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Yumm I love Zumbo!! your blog is always a great read 🙂 http://www.fundraise.city2surf.com.au/Chelsea_Hendy937
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You have been to Zumbo’s Dessert Train?! Oh my, I am so jealous! It is such a rarity for me to be in Sydney, so I have never, ever tried a Zumbo creation. BUT I was super excited to hear that he is opening a pattisserie in Melbourne! A visit to Zumbo will definitely be on my to do list next time I am there 😀 Thanks for sharing Uru, all of these macarons look ah-mazing.
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Geesh, Uru, can there be any more different kinds of macarons? What a delight it must have been for you to sample all those goodies.
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Okay.. I loved this line.. Oh please, no applause, you are all too sweet *catches a rose thrown from the audience* lol. Loved it. And now I want sweets LOL. I love macarons
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fascinating maccaroons…
i love it even more if the flavouring didn’t overpowering the almond flavour…
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Lucky lucky you! Look at those gorgeous macarons! I love the flavours and they look so beautiful. I think you for your sacrifice to food research 🙂
Nazneen
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Fun post and good idea, those macaroons look delicious!
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Even I have heard of zumbo in india and I remember his cool creations in masterchef. ^.^ Lucky you, I wish I could get those here! The
Caramel Banana Balsamic one is calling my name!
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I am so jealous. I really want to visit Adriano Zumbo’s Patisserie 🙂
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Anyone who receives a box of Zumbo macarons will be a happy camper! Lucky you! I really miss Adriano Zumbo’s crazy desserts!
thanks for sharing with us the flavours of macarons. I’m very intrigued by the caramel banana and balsamic!
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I’ve been watching Adriano Zumbo’s amazing creations on Australian Masterchef, they’re truly fantastic. How fabulous to have a whole box of his wonderful macarons. Love the diary update. GG
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Lucky you Uru! Been wanting to visit this place since i have stepped foot in Sydney. But thank you for all the delicious inputs. Love all of them!
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These sound AWESOME!!!
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All I can say is wow. The cherry coconut would likely be my fave. So many macarons so little time.
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I’m easy to please, CCU. I’ll take the bread and butter pudding macaroon!
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What a beautiful collection of macarons! I believe you may have much of the blogsphere drooling!
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Drool worthy macaroons. Such a fun read, my friend.
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Those macaroons are simply perfect!
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CCU, Oh my goodness, you have me swooning over some macaroons but those passion fruit ones do look pretty cute. Are you done with exams yet? What’s next? Uni? Take care, BAM
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Haha my friend, no uni till next year, I have two more major exam batches left, a month each!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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I’m drooling over all your macarons! These are highly addictive and yes we need to try all the flavours!
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You’ve got me salivating, u little devil! Did u save some for me?? Lol!
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Awww you’re making me so jealous! Zumbo is opening a store in Melbourne soon but before he does I can just imagine eating them again hehe the popcorn flavour is my number 1 favourite 😀
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As soon as it opens my friend, I hope you enjoy it! 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Good grief… every flavor sounds divine! Pass the Salted Butter Caramel on Toast and the Popcorn though. Holy Yum.
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Wow they are beautiful – mouth watering delicious 🙂 Lucky you!
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I would love to be able to nibble on those little morsels of goodness.
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Uru,
I love all of the unique flavors of the Macarons. I like the Cherry ones.
Keep on testing them:)
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So delicious. I can’t believe all the flavors. There certainly is one for everyone. 🙂
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I would LOVE to go on an undercover mission like this, haha! What a fun feature and interesting post, Uru. Thanks for sharing!
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Wow, these look gorgeous, I would love this job 🙂
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Oh My goodness – all these delcious and luscious desserts – they are making me sooooo hungry!
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This is a job I would volunteer for! They all look scrumptious! Nice post!
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I’m a massive fan of the salted butter popcorn too – it’s just amazing. How he gets that much flavour into it i just don’t know 🙂
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How nice you’ve got to indulge in these wonderful macarons. 🙂 Wish I’m living closer so I can pay them a visit. I make macarons myself…but I’m always looking for new ideas and ingredients to make them. Adding coconut on the shells sounds like fun and delicious. Thanks for sharing.
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Ooooh I love macarons! My favorite flavor is salted caramel so I would like the salted butter caramel here!
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Zumbo is my pastry god and yes, I think I’m familiar with at least 75% of those flavours! How awesome is that dessert train and I love these amazing icecream flavours, (we once had red bull & on the second visit it was blueberry crumble!)
Delicious! I can attest to trying Salt & Vinegar zumbaron once, it was amazing 🙂
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Salt and Vinegar? That. is. OMG. 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Those are some wild flavours!
I love macs – they’re a chore to make. Best left to the pros.
I’m great at eating them though!
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I’m totally amazed by these macarons. So pretty! The flavors! I’m in love! I’m booking a flight to Australia this very minute…
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Haha I will take you on the grand macaron tour 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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I would love to eat my way through that entire box!! YUM! What a cool shaped box too… perfect way to parcel those little beauties! : )
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You are so mean CCU…to go into such great, wonderful, drooling detail. I am not famished but must only have macarons and we don’t have a wonderful patisserie like this in my town…will have to go several towns overs. What a fabulous review ma cherie.
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Those are indeed special! So pretty. Thank you for your meticulous research!!
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Oh my!I love each and every one of these!!I really have to try making them 🙂
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They all sound delicious, I would have a difficult time choosing one so would have to sample all.
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Oh, so much sweet goodness! Uru, I am getting jealous of you 🙂
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I am so jealous that you got to try all of these! Macs are my favorites.
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You are killing me with this each and every one review of this delectable macarons. I’m *thisclose to losing my mind 😀
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No, seriously, these are too beautiful for words!
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How absolutely delicious! I am jealous right about now! Let me know if you need help taste testing.
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Sure wish we had one of those bakeries here! What delicious research 🙂
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Both beautiful and imaginative macarons! No wonder you are so fond of Zumbarons!
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They all sound delicious but that popcorn one is calling my name!
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We’ve been away on a short holiday, but i am sure glad I was back to see this lovely post. Are macarons such a wonderful treat? I know I would love the salted caramel one for sure.
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These look so good! I am working on making really good macarons, but so far my efforts haven’t quite come out as well as I would like. Though the experimentation is fun and even a not fantastic macaron is still pretty tasty, so no one is complaining about eating the mistakes! Thanks for the beautiful run down on all the flavors – very inspiring!
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Keep at it my friend, I am sure you will make perfect macarons in no time 😀
It certainly is the best fun to experiment!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Um… these look SO INCREDIBLE. Wow. I want to try each one.
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WOW those are some beautiful macaroons – great review on each one Uru!
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You’re killin’ me girl! AHHH! I want them all. No discrimination. All =)
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These look wonderful; light, fluffy and perfect. Blessings dear. Catherine
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**jealous**! 😀
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I love macarons! I want to try the cherry coconut!
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Wow, what an exciting research!!! Delicious!!! We have a Lebanese place here that bakes the best cookies that you can eat. Oh delish!!!!
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I love all the different colour and flavour ideas! I’m sure I’d do the same in the name of research…
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What a fabulous treat! I want them all…
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That Salted Caramel on Toast Mac looks out of this world! I can tell that each one his mac’s has got the required ‘crunch factor’ by looking at your before and after-pictures- there’s no runny/slimy mac’s here! At around $2 per mac- this carton of mac’s must have cost a bit of money. However, I’m not up to trying the pig’s blood mac.
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What a treat! Those macarons looked mighty yummy. 🙂
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Hehe I know what you mean-you can just nibble on them to taste them! I did that once and my friend laughed so hard and took a photo of them post-nibble 😛
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This is such a tease right now…I want them all!!!
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Oh my goodness, these are gorgeous and just incredible. How would I ever be able to make a decision? Impossible! I love the idea of a diary of all the best. I’m only frustrated because you are going to continue to show me tempting tastes I won’t be able to satisfy! 🙂 Your photos of the macarons are fabulous!
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I’m overwhelmed. If I could only choose just one, I would be in a total dilemma. I think I like the sound of the pineapple one but any of the caramel would do as well. But then again, who couldn’t resist one called ‘finger bun’ – takes me back to the tuck shop at school when we had ‘real’ finger buns filled with dried fruit. xx
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Haha I have such a soft spot for anything with the favour of fingerbun, it is my absolute weakness!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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They ALL look amazing!! Can I be your research assistant 🙂
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These sound delicious! I love macarons!
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Those pastries are the stuff that sweet dreams are made of! They’re so perfect, so beautiful, they’re like works of edible art!
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These flavors are fantastic and I love the pictures.
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Such a rough job you have as a macaron taster 🙂 They all sound amazing!
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my fav is definitely the salted caramel and the lemon tea! yum!
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We have a similar place here by the name Thierry and I just love it. Everything taste god there, although I haven’t tasted but its my usual place to for coffee and a treat when I am in downtown. I don’t think I have tasted passion fruit macaroons in there.
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Vegemite macarons – ha! Sounds like you enjoyed some wonderful flavors.
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Incredible. Exquisite. Fabulous. Magicial. Amazing. Tempting.
I do not have enough adjectives for these stunning treats, Choc.
Jesus Christ himself must devour these in heaven! I’m serious.
I want the Salted Butter Caramel on Toast one NOW NOW NOW.
NOWwwwww.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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I am late to the macaron party, I just tasted my first one the other night. They are just wonderful, aren’t they? And the variety here is awesome, I must see if I can find a local baker here who makes these sorts of flavors! xx
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Haha welcome to the obsession, addiction and love of macarons 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Now those are incredibly creative & I’d try any of them but have to say the cherry coconut caught my eye.
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Those macarons look AMAZINGGG! omg I’m hungry now
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I had my first macarons in this store 🙂 The best ones I’ve ever had.
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I’m not a macaron fan but I love all those colours! Delicious story, as always!
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I can’t decide which I’d want to try first! The salted butter caramel, pineapple, and popcorn look pretty fabulous.
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OMG! I haven’t had a macaron in ages and I’m so jealous! What wonderful flavor combinations.
I can tell I’m going to love your new diary entries :).
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These sound amazing and look fantastic!
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Such interesting flavours! Always amazes me to see the different flavours created for macaroons!
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oooo yum!! lucky you! 🙂
he is soo creative with the flavors! i especially wanna try the finger bun 😀
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Oooh you definitely should try the Finger Bun it was heaven 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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They look amazing, perfectly beautiful. I so love macaron’s looks like this chef knows what he is doing. Great review!
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I love to look at them … so pretty in all the colors of the rainbow … but I couldn’t eat one even. Don’t ask me why … I just don’t like them, but I would love to get a posh box like that. Your photos and review is fantastic, as always. And I love posh shops too. *smile
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Sooooooo pretty. I love that passionfruit one!
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You are too funny! But I love your macarons passion! These look fabulous!
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Stunning and my pick will be the coconut flavored.
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I am fascinated by the Caramel Babnana Baslsamic. I have tried some zumbarons, but they did not have all of these flavours then.
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Hi Uru, I do love your diary idea!!!
I didn’t know Adriano Zumbo…my bad 😦
Now, thanks to you, I understand he’s a genius!
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Uru, your CCU Undercover series has long been a favorite of mine, but doing sneaky (I mean scientific…) taste testing at home is a brilliant idea! Based on your conclusions, the popcorn “zumbaron” appealed to me, too, but then, I’m a sucker for popcorn and a chef described as: “Butter smiles at him.” 😉 Great review!
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If I have to tell you I’m in love with macarons at a first bite 🙂 when I visited Paris last year I had them for my dessert every night during I stay there, these macarons looks fantastic with different taste, i want to try them all, yummy story 🙂
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Wow, they look delicious! 🙂 I think I could have probably eaten them all too!
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You work so hard for us. Perhaps you are under-appreciated? Let me stand up and proudly tell the world about your scientific approach to Zumbarons!
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oh my goodness. Why don’t I live in Australia?
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Wonderful flavours of macarons! I want to try the pineapple flavoured one!
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Oh the things we do for blog research ;3 haha. Those macarons look awesome, especially the popcorn one! Macarons are pretty trendy here in LA – if you ever visit, you’ll have to try some (although I can’t say I’ve seen any quite as creative AND enticing as these). PS: Did you take those photos in a lightbox? I see hints of a white backdrop. I’m planning to DIY one to improve the look of my photos, so it caught my eye. :3 Cheers!
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Haha yes, I did use the a backdrop, I find its nicer to be able to not have distracting backgrounds, so I share it with my grandpa 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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The flavour combinations sound pretty amazing. One day I hope to taste my first macaron.
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What a delicious story! So many amazing flavours of Macaron! If only I could try them all.
Your macarons turned out gorgeous too, such a lovely rich colour, I bet the just melted in your mouth.
Thank you for linking to my Macaron story too 🙂
Julie
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My pleasure my friend 😀
And thank you, my ones are no where near as good as these though or yours! Practice practice practice!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Science is important! Glad to see you’re applying yourself to help all of us in finding the absolute best things to eat. I know you’re sacrificing yourself so we don’t have to – such a noble cause! 😉 Really fun read. Keep up with your research!
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Haha you understand my research so well 😛
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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