As in fashion, trends move fast in the food world. Sex and the City made cupcakes cool. But, like scrunchies, gladiator sandals and low-waisted jeans, they quickly went by the wayside. Cupcakes were replaced by macarons, which were replaced by whoopee pies, which were replaced by cake pops.
Now it seems that artfully decorated clairs and delicately glazed cream puffs are the latest sweet food fad to hit Paris. Choux pastry has become the boyfriend jean of the culinary universe. So when you get bored of looking at Louboutins why not go chouxshopping instead?
Here are five of the best Parisian addresses to get your choux fix.
clair de Genie
clair de Genie is like the Jimmy Choux of the sweet food world (expensive butdefinitely worth the splurge). These incredibly beautiful clairs are almost too pretty toeatbut believe me – from the beautiful magenta colored Rouge Baiser, to the bounty-reminiscent Coco Chocolat, and the chocoholics Feuille DAutomne to the zesty CitronYuzu – these clairs are as easy on the taste-buds as they are on the eye.
Popelini
Popelini, named after the Italian pastry chef who invented choux pastry in 1540, was thefirst Parisian patisserie dedicated entirely to cream puffs. The small but stylish storesin the Marais and, more recently Pigalle, sell beautifully light, colourfully glazed, creampuffs with a variety of delicious fillings including lemon, Madagascan vanilla, rose andraspberry, and salted caramel butter.Cream puffs from 1.85 each, 11 for 6 and 21 for 12.
La Maison du Chou
At this delightful Saint-Germain address, two Michelin star pastry chef and MeilleurOuvrier de France Manuel Martinez serves up freshly baked bite-size cream puffsthat are filled – with a sabayon base of egg, sugar and fromage blanc – while you wait.Available in classic, chocolate or coffee, these freshly piped puffs can be enjoyed in-house or to-go.Cream puffs from 1.70 each, 5 for 3, 12 for 6 and 18 for 12.
LAtelier de Lclair
In a trendy industrial warehouse in the bustling Montorgeuil neighbourhood, LAtelierde lclair offers a range of delicious savoury and sweet clairs. From classic lemonmeringue, nutella and mango passion, to the quirky melon and basil, and thesavoury Mediterranean club to the gourmet foie gras and fig- there is an clair to suitevery palate.
16, rue Bachaumont, 75002
Telephone: +33 (0) 1 42 36 37 94
Metro: Sentier
Open: Every day 11:00am 8:00pm
Odette
Frdric Berthy always kept fond memories of his grandmother Odette makingdivine cream puffs for his afternoon tea. So last year, the web-engineer turned creampuff aficionado, decided to open a Saint-Germain store which pays homage to hisgrandmothers culinary skills. The cream puffs are available in nine flavors includingchocolate, mixed berry, pistachio and green tea, as well as special flavors such asthe Champagne chou for the festive season.Cream puffs from 1.90 each, 9.90 for 6 and 19.80 for 12.
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