Why are macarons expensive?
If there was one little delicacy that has captivated both the visual appeal and the taste buds of pastry fans worldwide, it undoubtedly must be the exquisite macaron cookie. In some places, people also call macarons macaroons.
Macaron (pronounced mack-ah-rohn) is a dainty and elegant dessert widely accepted as a symbol of a refined culinary experience. Though macaron originated in Italy in the 1500s, the cookie was gradually transformed in France. This fascinating little confection became incredibly popular amongst the French, where pastry chefs perfected their texture, taste, and aesthetics. It became a staple in Parisian pâtisseries during the 20th century. Visitors to France soon caught the macaron craze and began spreading the word worldwide. These days, macaron cookies can be easily found in most bakeries. In North America, folks sometimes refer to them as macaroons.
But what is it about macarons that makes them so desirable and often deemed expensive? The answer is a combination of costly ingredients and packaging, meticulous production by experienced bakers, and a short shelf life.
The macaron shells contain reasonably simple ingredients: egg whites, sugar, almond flour, and powdered sugar. However, how these ingredients are manufactured and handled during macaron production is crucial. For example, almond flour must be blanched, skins removed, dried, and finely ground. Egg whites must be carefully removed from egg yolks, ensuring they are not in contact with fat. All ingredients must be precisely measured to maintain exact ratios during production.
Indeed, one of the critical reasons macarons are so expensive is that they are challenging to bake. Skill, patience, and accuracy are required in this process. The macaron shell's base is the meringue created by carefully whipping egg whites and sugar. Once the meringue is formed, it is gently folded with almond flour and powdered sugar to create a smooth and glossy batter. Meringue or batter formation errors would lead to unsuccessful macaron attempts and discarded ingredients.
After the batter is carefully pipped into small, uniform circles, it is baked at the correct temperature to achieve the characteristic "foot" or crown around the edge of the cookie. If errors are made during the piping or baking, the foot's appearance could be compromised, and the macaron would not be deemed acceptable for presentation. Perfecting the macaron baking process can take a long time, even for experienced bakers.
After the shells are cooled, they are matched in size, and a decadent filling is added between two macaron halves to create the iconic sandwich. The filling is usually made from premium and thus expensive ingredients such as chocolate, fruit, nuts, cream, and butter. Hand-crafted fillings can also be labour-intensive and require meticulous attention to detail. One of the most famous macaron fillings is caramel, known for its challenging cooking process.
The fact that macarons consist of two cookies plus a filling may also explain why their cost is higher than any other cookie - you get twice the cookie and a creamy filling! When the filling and the macaron shells have some time to rest together in the cooler, they form a harmonious union of flavour and textures that make macarons delightful to savour.
Lastly, bakers add the filling to the shells. At this step, macarons assume high moisture, becoming perishable and no longer shelf-stable. As a result, they become an expensive investment for bakeries and merchants. They are also fragile and require special packaging to minimize cracking, increasing their expense even further.
Almond-based shells are a neutral canvas to any culinary imagination as they embrace various flavour profiles, from classic favourites like chocolate and vanilla to more recent varieties like salted caramel or matcha green tea.
Macarons are indeed a work of art, each with its personality and beauty. Macarons effortlessly elevate any occasion with their sheer beauty as they rest on a fancy tray or in a beautifully packaged box. They have earned their reputation as the epitome of elegance and finesse. Whether adorning the dessert table at a lavish wedding or being part of a thoughtful gift, macarons always leave a lasting impression.
These delicate treats embody a touch of luxury, effortlessly elevating any occasion with their mere presence. Time and time again, they have party guests saying, "You had me at Macaron."
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