The 6 Tastiest Food Souvenirs to Bring Back From Paris
On the publication of his latest book, Hungry for France: Adventures for the Cook & Food Lover, we asked longtime Paris resident (and frequent Bon Appétit contributor) Alexander Lobrano for his take on the French food treats worth schlepping home from the City of Light.
Damien Lafargue1/6Chocolate from Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse—Manufacture à Paris
After working as a pastry chef for Alain Ducasse in New York City and Paris, Nicolas Berger saw his sweetest dreams came true when the boss partnered with him to open a gorgeous chocolate-making atelier near the Bastille (40 Rue de la Roquette, 11th Arrondissement, Paris; +33-1-48-05-82-86; lechocolat-alainducasse.com). Berger roasts his own cacao beans, and produces a fabulous assortment of single-cru bars (made from one kind of bean), including an irresistibly pungent dark chocolate from the African island of São Tomé (€7).
Damien Lafargue2/6Christine Ferber Jams
Once you’ve tasted Christine Ferber’s hand-crafted jams and jellies, you’ll never mind hearing the alarm clock go off again. Made with fuzzy heirloom peaches, pêche de vigne is so good you’ll want to eat it straight from the jar. The confiture de mirabelles (small yellow plums from the Lorraine) is a head-banger, too (€7.50). Available at La Grande Epicerie (38 Rue de Sèvres, 7th Arrondissement, Paris; +33-1-44-39-81-00).
Damien Lafargue3/6Vinaigre Celtique from Olivier Roellinger Spice Shop
Burnt out on balsamic vinegar? Just in time for salad season, Breton chef and spice master Olivier Roellinger’s vinaigre celtique, made with apple juice, cider vinegar, brown sugar and spices, is the magic potion you’re looking for (€24.20). Available at Epices Roellinger (51 rue Sainte Anne , 2nd Arrondissement, Paris; +33-1-42-60-46-88).
Damien Lafargue4/6Bouquet Garni from Albert Menes
Sure, fresh herbs are best, but who hasn’t blown off a recipe requiring a bouquet garni because there were none in the fridge? These Albert Menes bouquets garnis—cheesecloth-wrapped sachets of herbs for cooking meat (thyme, coriander, marjoram, parsley, bay leaves) or fish (thyme, coriander, fennel, basil, parsley, bay leaves)—pack all the flavor you need whenever you need it and deserve a place in every spice cabinet. We’re talking about a cheap but super useful gift (€5.25). Available at Monoprix (numerous locations).
Damien Lafargue5/6Honey from La Maison du Miel
Founded in 1898, La Maison du Miel (24 rue Vignon, 9th Arrondissement, Paris; +33-1-47-42-26-70) is a honeypot of a shop that sells dozens of varieties from all over France. With its scent of the maquis—the wild herbs that grow all over the island—the Corsican honey is a Mediterranean vacation in a jar, and the Miel du Sapin (pine honey) is a secret weapon for barbecue marinades, since its gentle pine taste teams flatters the flavor of smoke (€10, depending on variety).
Damien Lafargue6/6Truffles from La Maison de la Truffe
Since the best place to eat truffles is at home (restaurants mark them up like mad) in the simplest recipes, pick up a black beauty or two to transform your scrambled eggs, pasta, rice, baked potatoes, and chicken breasts in a gourmet feast in a flash. A vacuum-packed one-ounce black truffle in its own juice goes for €88. Oh, and whatever you do, don’t buy truffle oil, since the flavor is artificial. Available at La Maison de la Truffe (19 place de la Madeleine, 8th Arrondissement, Paris; +33-1-42-65-53-22).
