Royce’ Nama Chocolate

Again I am no biggie fan of sweet stuff and while i do like chocolate and chocolate ice cream- I don't particularly have a contact craving for it.

So perhaps I am in the Christmas mood for all things sweet and hence all these post about sweets.

Last year Siew Fong dropped by and visited me in Germany bringing brought along a box of Nama Chocolate, champagne flavoured - obviously.. oblivious me, knows nothing about it.. When I finally got around eating it... WOW.. I liked it tremendously. Simply the best chocolate I ever had.

ROYCE’ was founded in Sapporo in 1983 and seems that it has quit a cult following. The taste, the texture is just amazing and very different from the regular hard blocked chocolate... The official website explained it's unique taste which is incredibly soft and 'fresh'.

'How can such a soft chocolate be made? The secret lies in the moisture content. The moisture content of Royce’ Nama Chocolate is 17-18%. The content of fresh cream and liquor accounts for one fourth of the total ingredients. Such a high content of fresh cream can only be realized with cream made from locally-drawn Hokkaido milk. The delicate silky palate comes from here. Also, when you open a box, you will encounter the diffusion of a rich fragrance. The liquor that is added for flavor is not just alcohol, but world famous prestige brandies and champagne, which are used generously. Of course, we also have Nama chocolate without liquor that can be enjoyed together with children and people who don’t like alcohol.'

It seems that now, you can even get them in KL. Puhhh, has it been that long that I have not shopped. Again, it will make a great gift for chocolate lovers.


Maybe I should buy some for my friends... it's about time I start my Xmas shopping.

Rating: 2* (if you don't really like sweet stuff), 3* (for chocoholics)

Success

He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much;
Who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children;
Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
Who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty or failed to express it;
Who has left the world better than he found it,
Whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;
Who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had;
Whose life was an inspiration;
Whose memory a benediction.

- Bessie Anderson Stanley,  1904

Macaron Macaron Macaron

www.pierreherme.com

seriously... what's up with this thing.. suddenly it is every where!! I saw it at nearly every other cake shop in Singapore and it's popping all over KL too. Ehhh?

While I have seen it on window displays, I only tasted my first macaron this year in March when I visited Vanessa with Fred in Paris. We bought some from a store called Pierre Hermé and Fred told me that it was one of the best you can get in Paris.. okie dokie.. apart from the fact that the prices looked exorbitant and that I don't particularly like sweet things (except ice cream), I gave it a try.

It wasn't bad..hahahaha. The different coloured macarons had distinguishable different taste to it and it sort of melts in your mouth though looks pretty solid when you hold it.

Honestly, to my unrefined eyes the macarons didn't look delicious at all.. just filled with food colourings and looked like it could give me a toothache. With such low expectations, it was easy to be impressed. Ha! Some people out there will kill me for... but just personally my sweet tooth is very stunted in its growth and hence, I don't really seek out desserts and other sweet stuff.. a bit of something to try is usually good enough for me.

However after this experience I came more to notice this precious pastry called macaron and had it a few more times since then. All I can say is that indeed Pierre Hermé was good.. Some had too hard crust (losing the melt in your mouth feeling) and some had over sweeten filings (to my taste anyways) and while I am no means an expert- it seems that quality to vary drastically.

I did some internet search for this post and it seems that there a nice write up giving an introduction to macarons and one to expand your macaronic horizons. It is however a truly a nice pastry as a gift or a dessert/party flavour a Christmas party for this holiday seasons.

I still think the prices are ridiculous but hey.. just because sweet things isn't my thing doesn't it can't be yours... so if you are in France, and pass by one of those famous pâtisserie such as Ladurée, Pierre Hermé or Fauchon- give it a try.. heck give all their sweet little cakes a try.. seriously they make them really pretty in France. If you are some where else in the world, perhaps the craze has already over taken your city- so look out for it.. If you'd only like to have one, the verdict is: Fred's favourite is the pink rose flavoured ones.. I kinna like the green ones (pistachio or green tea) or the chocolate ones better- but hey don't take my word on this. ;)

Bon Appétit!

Rating: 1* (if you don't really like sweet stuff), 3* (for dessert aficionado)

in Bordeaux