Hello Macarons.
For the longest time, it was difficult to understand why people described macarons with such loving superlatives. They’re cookies, fine. But they don’t seem to require chocolate or gobs or butter or other things that make cookies worth eating.
Then one day, the second most beloved contributor for Columbus Underground (2013) issued the Mac Challenge Question: Who makes a better macaron, Pistacia Vera or Mad Macs?
Challenge accepted. There might be an answer to that question, even if it is unlikely to involve chocolate or gobs of butter.
Samples from each of the bakeries were collected. From the collection offered at Pistacia Vera’s North Market location, pumpkin chai, cherry cordial, buckeye and caramel pecan macaroons were purchased at $1.50 each.
From Mad Macs, the flavors were pumpkin latte, apple, buckeye and caramel, all at $1 each.
The treats from Pistacia Vera have a more refined look (on the left), all uniformly sized and colorful. That’s not to say there was anything ugly or misshapen about Mac Macs’ versions (on the right). The confection is a fussy sandwich cookie, by definition. Pistacia Vera’s offerings were just fussier.
The Buckeye macarons were expected to be the house favorite. Both bakers offered a nice merging of fragile shells and peanut butter/chocolate flavor. Tie.
The pumpkin things were nice too, especially for pumpkin fans. The chai/coffee influences in both were strong. Again, sort of a draw.
But two macarons were special: special enough to explain why people love these things so much. PV’s Cherry Cordial was one of those macarons. It’s cute (cherry-hued) with equally intense charges of cherry and dark chocolate flavor in a melty macaron package.
Then there’s Mad Macs’ Caramel. Its featherweight meringue cookie shell gave way to the richest, purest caramel flavor, ever. It was so intense, it actually inspired a scream of “THIS!”
No one nearby understood the scream, because it’s hard to understand anyone yelling with a mouth full of cookie.
So, close call, but the screaming seems like that might indicate a little victory for the Mad Macs team. Regardless, the experiment clearly converted a few more eaters to the Macaron Fan Club.
For more information, visit www.pistaciavera.com and www.facebook.com/Mad-Macs/.