A busy team of twelve work away behind the scenes to create some of the most beautiful and flavoursome sweet treats available. Hundreds of colourful macarons with punchy and interesting flavours are produced out of the J’aime les macarons kitchen each day, and still there’s demand for more.

Ten years ago Bridget O’Sullivan found herself back on New Zealand soil after years spent in Europe. France was one of her favourite spots to visit, and it was there her love for macarons sparked. Back home she found it hard to get hold of a sweet treat comparable to these little morsels of goodness, so, with a friend, developed and began selling macarons at the Christchurch Farmers Market. And voila! J’aime les macarons (I love macarons) was born.

These days the flagship store of the business resides in the heart of Merivale. It is nearly impossible to walk past the colourful display of luxurious macarons and gorgeous cupcakes without stopping, and passers by are frequently pulled in to admire the flavour combinations galore on display here.

Expect to find six of the most popular, classic J’aime les macarons flavours available at all times (you just can’t go wrong with the Salted Butter Caramel or Bitter Chocolate) supported by a rotating number of seasonal and experimental flavours, such as Feijoa Custard Crumble or Sticky Date Pudding.

And when it comes to the flavours, they are guaranteed to be punchy and deliver exactly what they say they will, every time. If digging your teeth into one of these means traveling across town, so be it. Or you could order online. In any case, if you haven’t tried them, you’re missing out big time.