A dreamy monday morning at the Salon du Chocolat..

Jean-Paul Hévin Macaron

Today was a big day for me. I tasted my first macaron. Ever. Many people talk about them, and generally rave about them, and the uber-talented even make their own, at home, in their free time. Since moving to Paris, I see them everywhere. It seems every bakery on every street corner makes their own version. I've been tempted, it's true, but something has always held me back. I knew that I didn't want just any macaron, I wanted one of the best.

Well, today was my lucky day.

This morning I headed off to meet some new friends at the Salon du Chocolat, a large chocolate trade show held every October in Paris. There I was, at the Jean-Paul Hévin booth, staring at what was judged this past June as the best macaron in Paris.

Now how could I pass that up? I watched as they carefully wrapped it up for me. And yes, dear friends, I waited until I could get home and take a picture before even taking a single bite. But as soon as my teeth sank into it, I had an uncontrollable urge to run back to the kitchen and take another picture for your viewing and drooling pleasure. Perhaps this is rather unsophisticated of me to say, but the inside tasted like the best chocolate brownie I have ever had. And however they get that crunchy bit on the top is beyond me, but it was heavenly. I want more..



The Salon du Chocolat was exciting to say the least. By the end of it, I was on quite a chocolate high; unnaturally giddy and carrying many more things than I realized I had purchased. When you're faced with some of the best chocolatiers in the world, you just have to let loose and sample everything that is offered to you.


Madame Setsuko Chocolatiers in action

A stop at Madame Setsuko found us gaping in amazement at the fine details being piped on each individual chocolate. A sample of their green tea ganache found its way into my mouth (how does that always happen?) and I was instantly in love. Although, I will say that it was a good thing we had arrived early, because by noon, you could barely get yourself near their booth at all to watch them in action.

Madame Setsuko Green Tea Ganache

Even the sandwiches contained chocolate. I feasted on the Foie Gras sandwich with Fig and Chocolate Chutney and it was delicious. The sweetness of the chutney was a nice compliment to the Foie Gras.


Foie gras and chocolate sandwiches

In the end, I came home with a lovely pile of stuff.

From Maison du Chocolat: a tablette of 100% cocoa, and chocolate covered almonds.
From Jean-Paul Hévin: a chocolate macaron and a tablette of milk chocolate with caramel
From Baillardran: two caneles, traditional and chocolate
From Madame Setsuko: green tea ganaches.
Oh and somehow a sample packet of Nestle Quik hot chocolate made its way into my bag too...

I will expand on some of these treasures as soon as my hands stop shaking from this sugar rush. I need to go lie down now..