8 January 2017
A city with meandering cobblestone streets lined with charming medieval timber-framed houses, each with a bilingual street name. A river encircling the Old Town that separates the old from new and runs into canals around the city, creating the most picturesque photography backdrop. And as Christmas approaches each year, a transformation into an enchanting winter wonderland complete with themed fairy lights, intricate decorations adorning medieval houses, a giant Christmas tree and the most amazing Christmas markets.
Sound like your kind of holiday destination? Then pack your bags and head to Strasbourg – capital of the European Union; also aptly named Capitale De Noel or Capital of Christmas.
And if this isn’t enough of a draw card, perhaps you’ll be enticed by the fusion of French and German reflected in the Alsatian cuisine, world renowned bottles of Riesling, tastiest gingerbread in a multitude of variants and endless patisseries at every street corner – the most per square metre that I’ve encountered, even surpassing Paris! I’ve not even started on the chocolates…..
Thanks to my colleague and Strasbourg native, Fred, hubby and I were well equipped for our gastronomic discovery of the many sweet and savoury delights on offer, chocolates included.
Jacques Bockel is a must visit – not only for its colourful and inventive flavours of pralines, ganaches and truffles, but also the endless varieties of chocolate tablets.
Here, you will find the cutest Christmas les maenneles. These are chocolate man-shaped miniature figurines, Jacques Bockel‘s interpretation of the traditional Alsatian Christmas treat of little man shaped brioche buns. The les maenneles, albeit sweet, are tasty and come in various different flavours ranging from hazelnut and almond praline to salted caramel, rhubarb ganache and gingerbread.
Don’t forget the Nut Alsace spread while you’re here. It’s a hazelnut chocolate spread in 4 flavours – think Nutella, only tastier. Ask for a tasting, straight from the fountain, and you will not be disappointed.
Maison Caffet (House of Caffet) is a heaven for the sweet tooth. It is also home to World-Champion and Meilleur Ouvrier de France patissier and chocolate maker Pascal Caffet’s masterful sweet creations. Walk past the mouth-watering window display and you’ll like be drawn in to admire and savour the tantalising masterpieces, from the many mesmerising cakes, tarts, macaroons, profiteroles and eclairs to dainty, jewel-like bon bons of ganaches, pralines, rochers and mendiants.
Hazelnuts and almonds feature heavily in the bon bons, but there are also unique flavours like bergamot and exotic fruits, all coated in 70% Venezuelan dark chocolate, 40% milk chocolate or white chocolate.
Head to Mireille Oster Pain d’Epices, anytime of the year, and you’ll be greeted by the familiar aroma of Christmas – a marriage of cinnamon, clove and star anise. Ask for a sampling before you purchase the many variants of gingerbread, from traditional to more contemporary flavours like China Nights (rice wine with goji berries), Sour Cherry (sour cherries with hazelnuts and kirsch) and Canneliesel (dark chocolate with cashew nuts). These bite-sized treats come beautifully packaged and ready to take home as a souvenir or gift.
Other notable chocolatiers worthy of a visit are Yves Thuries, twice Meilleur Ouvrier de France winner – one for iced confectionery and the other for pastries and confectionery, and Alain Batt.
The French never fail to amaze with their mastery, creativity and eye for detail in weaving the tastiest and most breathtakingly beautiful pastries and chocolates. In Strasbourg, visitors and locals alike are treated to this plus the addition of Germanic influence, giving rise to a unique gastronomic, sweet accented experience only found in the Alsace region.
Does this rate as an ultimate chocolate experience? I must admit that this has been more of a well rounded gastronomic experience with savoury, meat-based dishes, a healthy dose of choucroute (sauerkraut), the most eye pleasing pastries, cakes and tarts, and crisp, fruity Rieslings as the main attraction, and chocolate playing the supporting act. I will be back Strasbourg, to savour more of your Alsatian delights, Rieslings and chocolates!
