HAVE YOU TRIED

Macarons at House of Pastel in downtown Melbourne are as delicious as they are adorable

Maria Sonnenberg
For FLORIDA TODAY
In addition to French macarons, House of Pastel in downtown Melbourne also offers traditional high tea.

Just one little vowel can make a world of difference, both in context and taste.

For example, ask Lilly Jensen the difference between “macaron” and “macaroon” and you will get a short course on just how different the two similarly sounding names can be, both visually and gustatorially.

"A French macaron is a delicate, airy, meringue-based gluten-free confection made with almond flour,” said Jensen.

“An American macaroon is a dense, clumped cookie make with shredded coconut, highly textured, easy to create and not half as adorable as the French macaron.”

What Jensen is saying is that if macarons and macaroons were dresses, the former would be an elegant little number from House of Dior versus a muumuu from the dollar store.

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As you can guess, Jensen favors macarons over macaroons. In fact, she makes a living by baking them. The owner of House of Pastel, Jensen is devoted to the many subtle nuances of the little French circles of taste.

“French macarons should have a smooth flat top with a cute ruffled circumference known as "feet" and decadent fillings,” she said.

“It takes skill to perfect an eggshell-like crown and soft interior and to pipe a perfect circle.”

Jensen was introduced to the French macaron from master chocolatier and world pastry competitor Ewald Notter while studying at his school in Orlando. It was love at first sight. After earning her pastry certification, she moved to Greenwich Village to work at the patisserie of world-famous pastry chef Francois Payard, where she was able to perfect the French macaron in all its glory.

For years, Jensen baked macarons out her commissary kitchen, but she eventually went with a bricks-and-mortar store in a storefront at the Belair Courtyard in Cocoa Village as cute and tiny as the macarons themselves. A few weeks before Christmas, she moved to larger quarters in downtown Melbourne, because she wanted to add a new dimension to her store.

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“Our new house is bigger, better to accommodate our tea house concept,” said Jensen.

The persnickety French macarons have now been joined with tea, so guests can reconnect with the very civilized and highly de-stressing notion of High Tea, served Monday through Saturday. In addition to her beloved macarons, Jensen offers loose-leaf tea, scones, petit fours and tea sandwiches. A proper tea house would also not be complete without a comfy pink sofa perfect for snuggling. 

“It is just the place to throw all care away and reconnect with an afternoon tea and pastry,” she said.

It is difficult to choose a favorite among the macarons, and the danger lies in the fact that the immediate reaction is to gobble every one of them you see. However, if there is a top macaron at House of Pastel, it currently is Cherry Vanilla, smooth and tart with a nostalgic note of vanilla bean. As for teas, Organic Apple & Rose and Banana Black are pleasant sips. 

For the do-it-yourselvers in the midst, Jensen provides “Macaron Academy” classes monthly, when she divulges the secrets of the perfect macaron. 

Jensen also operates Elodie, an adorable Airstreamy-type “pop-up boutique” that she drives around town for macaron tastings. You can schedule Elodie to come visit you at your next to-do. Just don’t mention macaroons. 

Have you tried

What: French macarons

Where: House of Pastel Macarons & Tea

Where: 921 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne

Info: 321-735-2013 or visit houseofpastel.co.

Email toastofthecoastfloridatoday@gmail.com.