Salted butter caramels with a twist...
Caramels aux Algues au Beurre Salé
The heat is on in my apartment, my winter coat is making its debut in Paris, and hot bubble baths are becoming a nightly indulgence just so I can warm my feet up. But I'm not complaining. I love my winter coat and I do some of my best reading in a hot bubble bath. And aside from that, I can't help but smile at the thought that I've just witnessed a changing of the seasons in Paris. From the hot days of summer to the cool, overcast days of fall, it's really starting to sink in that I live here. And yes, I like it. I like it alot. And here is but one more reason why.
Just yesterday I spotted a bag of salted butter caramels. Yes, it's true, my first bag ever. Molly would be pleased with my find, I'm sure, as she has declared these one of her favourite indulgences.
But what I discovered when I returned home was that I hadn't just purchased a bag of salted butter caramels. In fact, I was now the proud and slightly confused owner of Salted Butter Caramels with Algae. (Caramels aux Algues au Beurre Salé)
Algae?
Yes, algae. The ingredient list read as follows:
Sugar. Glucose syrup. Milk powder. Salted butter. Salt. Seaweed. Nori.
I'm sure you are asking, as I did, who would ever think to put seaweed and nori in a caramel?
Well it seems the French would, especially those who live by the sea.
These caramels are made by La Maison D'Armorine which is based out of Quiberon, a small town in the province of Brittany (known as Bretagne in French), right on the western coast of France. Quiberon is known for its fishing and in particular its sardines, and was declared a "Ville Gourmande" in 1999.
Sel de Guérande is the salt that is found in the salted butter used in the caramels. It is a name I have seen frequently since moving to Paris. I now know that this popular brand of salt, is completely natural, unrefined, unwashed seasalt containing no additives. It is low in sodium and high in mineral content. The 2000 hectares of Guérande saltworks in Brittany are said to be a supreme example of some of the most ecologically sound land development.
I declare these salt and algae spiked caramels delicious. They were wonderfully chewy, sweet but not overly so, and the seaweed added a subtle earthy contrast to the sweetness. I think I will now be on a mission to scout the city for different makers of salted caramels to see how they compare.
Just don't ask me how many I have left. I'd probably blush.
Labels: Paris, specialty food products, sweet stuff
posted by Michèle at 10:44 AM
13 Comments:
I'd have eaten the whole bag in one sitting, I confess! (You're so modest!) They sounds delicious - and I never would have thought they would have algae in them! How interesting! I'm glad you're beginning to feel more at home in Paris.
Salted Butter Caramels with Algae. So new to me. So very interesting. Glad to read that it's delicious. Okay; I won't ask how many you have left. ;-) Keep enjoying those hot bubble baths!
Best,
Paz
How about a salted caramel bubble bath?
David L.
Hi Michelle,
well truth be told the bag was gone after 2 days. It wasnt all in one sitting, sometimes a whole hour would go by before I ate the next one :) Time to restock I think!
Hi Paz,
it was quite new to me too, but a very fun find. I have been told there are also chocolate covered salted butter caramels to be found, and all I can say to that is oh my. My willpower will definitely crumble around those.
Hi David,
Now that is a brilliant idea! But then I might want the ones without the algae in them ;)
Thanks for your fun and interesting articles. I enjoy reading your posts and learning about how you are adjusting to Paris.
heather
Whoever was it that had the crazy idea to combine caramel and seaweed? It sounds like a joke, even crazier than combining chocolate and bacon (okay, maybe not quite that crazy)! I'm really glad you bought them though, even if you didn't know what you were doing at the time - we all need our horizons expanded from time to time! I wonder what'll be on the next episode of 'bizarre food-finds of Paris'? :)
Isn't it amazing how food can always surprise us? I mean, you think you know what's going to be in caramel, but you never know!
Have a great weekend!
Hi H, thanks for your comments, Im glad you are enjoying reading my blog, it is very nice to hear that!
Hi Melissa, chocolate and bacon? hmm, that is a bit weird.. I wouldnt be surprised if I found it somewhere, although im sure it would sound better with a fancy french name. And yes, i am pleased with my first salted butter caramel experience too, even if they were a bit off the wall--makes life fun I guess :)
Hi Beth, very true! And truthfully I did see the "aux Algues" part written on the package, but it just didnt sink in that this meant algae, because who would expect algae in a candy? But they were a great find after all!
It was wonderful to meet you Michele! Thank you for showing us around that truly Grand Epicerie. Sorry we had to rush off, I certainly would have enjoyed more time in Paris. . .
They look yummy Michele, I am sure they will help give you energy for your move LOL
Maybe the seaweed is for the "Agar"???
or are there pieces of seaweed in the caramels?
Hi Gemma, it was great to meet you too, if even for a short time, but it's better than nothing! Next time you're in town though, we'll make a grand old tour, with a couple of drinks in between when our feet get tired :)
Hi Clare, well I think the sugar rush actually slowed me down some :) And yes, there are little bits of seaweed in them, I guess you cant really see it in the picture, but they are very visible when you actually see the caramels up close!
i know this is insane, but bacon chocolate really does exist!
http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/product/bacon_exotic_candy_bar/exotic_candy_bars
i've had it, and it's delicious.
Sabrina, oh my god. I'm stunned, and drooling. I can't even imagine it but for some reason I believe you when you say it's delicious.
That is seriously insane!
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