How to properly store macarons at home

Macarons, also known as macaroons or macaroni, are a unique dessert originating in France and created by the personal pastry chef of Marie de' Medici. Today, you can make these beautiful and delicious treats with a wide variety of fillings at home. If you're planning to delight your friends with this unusual dessert or prepare a treat for a holiday in advance, we recommend learning how and where to properly store macarons at home and what can affect their shelf life.

How to store finished cakes

Moreover, the shelf life and basic storage principles for the two popular types of dessert are the same:

If you've purchased a pre-made dessert or want to store homemade macarons for an upcoming celebration, we recommend following the advice of experienced pastry chefs who know exactly how to store macarons at home.

• the optimal storage method is in the refrigerator;
• cakes must be placed in an airtight container;
• It is important to protect the dessert from temperature changes and condensation.

If you need to store a dessert for more than 7 days, it's best to freeze it. For this purpose, it's best to pack the cakes in a sealed zip-lock bag. Also, keep in mind that any desserts should not be stored in the freezer near raw meat or fish.

Rules for storing blanks

Experienced pastry chefs who frequently create colorful cakes to order know how to store unfilled macaron lids so they can fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Proper storage at home will preserve the taste and texture of the cakes.

These preparations can be stored for much longer than the finished cake:

The rules for storing macarons are the same as those for the finished product. It's important to follow these guidelines:

• tightness of packaging;
• temperature conditions (the temperature in the place where the workpieces are stored must be stable, without sudden changes);
• stable humidity level (no more than 75%);
• product proximity (especially relevant if it is a regular home refrigerator).

What can ruin cakes?

Many housewives have encountered the problem that, even knowing how to properly store macarons, they were unable to ensure optimal conditions for preserving the taste and appearance of the dessert.

What could be the problem?

1. The storage container isn't airtight enough. If air gets to the cakes, they'll dry out quickly and may absorb foreign odors, which are almost always present in a home refrigerator.
2. Inappropriate product pairing. Placing any desserts next to eggs, meat, or fish is a no-no—the vast majority understands this. However, fewer people realize that placing them next to smoked sausage or fish, or any other strong-flavored product, can be detrimental to macarons.
3. Refrigerator temperatures vary across different shelves. To minimize temperature fluctuations for desserts each time the door is opened, place the dessert on the bottom or middle shelf, as close to the back wall as possible. Avoid storing macarons on the refrigerator door.
4. If storing meringue halves at room temperature, it's important to protect them from direct sunlight and high humidity. Condensation on the surface of the meringue will not only spoil its appearance but also promote bacterial growth.

How do you store macarons at home? Share your experiences by leaving your recommendations in the comments.