National Chocolate Macaroon Day

Five Food Finds about Macaroons

  • A macaroon  is a type of light, baked confection, described as either small cakes or meringue-like cookies depending on their consistency.
  • The original macaroon was a “small sweet cake consisting largely of ground almonds” similar to Italian amaretti.
  • The English word macaroon and French macaron come from the Italian maccarone or maccherone.
  • This word is itself derived from ammaccare, meaning crush or beat,  in reference to the almond paste which is the principal ingredient.
  • Most recipes call for egg whites (usually whipped to stiff peaks), with ground or powdered seeds, generally almonds or nuts. Alternatively, coconuts, a seed, can be used.

Today’s Food History

on this day in…

1539 Hernando De Soto claimed Florida for Spain

1805 Adolphe Duglere was born. A pupil of Careme, head chef of the Rothschild family, and head chef of the famous 19th century Paris restaurant, the Cafe Anglais.

1841 R.I.P. Nicolas Francois Appert. Inventor of the canning process, preserving food by sealing it in sterilized containers. He published the results of 14 years of research in 1810 & received 12,000 franc award from French government.

1944 Michael Clark of the music group ‘Flying Burrito Brothers’ was born.

1964 T.S. Eliot wrote to Groucho Marx: “The picture of you in the newspaper saying that, amongst other reasons, you have come to London to see me has greatly enhanced my credit line in the neighborhood, and particularly with the greengrocer across the street.”

1970 R.I.P. Emmett J. Culligan. He was the founder of the water treatment company that carries his name. (“Hey, Culligan man!”).

1970 Ray Davies of the Kinks traveled round trip from New York to London to change 2 words in the song ‘Lola,’ (Coca-Cola to Cherry Cola) because of a BBC ban on commercial references.