Crazy for Macarons!

Have you ever tasted French Macarons? Not to be confused with Coconut Macaroons, those delicate French almond cookies are just beautifully decadent. The macaron as it is known today was created in the early 20th Century by Pierre Desfontaines of the French pâtisserie Laduree, composed of two almond meringue discs filled with a layer of buttercream, jam, or ganache filling. Not only do they look pretty, they taste absolutely divine.

Try one of our 12 or 48 assortments, you'll become a fan! And, for those of you who are picky on the flavors, we now offer a custom option for our 48 Macaroon Trays. Now you really have no excuse not to try them =)

Provence Products

With our French inventory based in Aix en Provence, in the South of France, we are constantly working on improving our Provence Products category.

We now carry a great selection of products from Provence, ranging from beauty products like Marseille soap, Provence Perfume and Lavender sachets, to Provence Gourmet Food as Calissons, Tapenade, Olive Oil and Herbs de Provence. Check them out!

Taste #10

White Nougat at Christmas: 

During our first Christmas here, my petite family enjoyed the festivities at the Avignon Marché de Noel.  Having learned all about the 13 Desserts of Provence, I was anxious to try nougat, full of my favourite flavours, including honey and almonds.  My first taste came at a stall from Silvain Frères based in Saint Didier and delighted me immensely.  This six generation family business of nougatiers remains the reference in Provence and their nougat has become part of my own Christmas dessert tradition.  I am practically Provencale now!

Jennifer Dugdale

Taste #9

Picholines Cassées: 

These are the first and freshest green olives to be harvested starting in November, anticipated with pleasure a bit like a Beaujolais Nouveau, a sign of things to come.  They are smacked with a mallet to accelerate the brining process and flavoured with fennel.  I love the complete contrast to much riper black olives.

Jennifer Dugdale

Taste #8

Black Figs from Caromb:  

Coming from England, I had only tried shrink wrapped packages of 4 figs from the supermarket.  Boy, was I delighted to try the “real” thing falling by the dozen from Provence trees in the month of June. I learned that figs are actually bursting with juice!

Jennifer Dugdale.

Taste #7

Muscat de Beaumes de Venise:  

This sweet wine, along the lines of Sauternes, was first served to me with Cavaillon melon, a classic starter in the Comtat Venaissin region of Provence.  Everytime I am in the area, I head up to the breathtaking scenery of the Dentelles and buy a bottle at Domaine des Coyeux.

Jennifer Dugdale

Taste #6

Chevre with Herbes de Provence:  

I enjoy this as often as I can from my favourite goats cheese maker at the Aix en Provence market.  The best pairing I ever had was a rosé wine from Henri Bonnaud in Palette;  the cheese brought out a surprising honey flavour in the wine.

Jennifer Dugdale