Meringa Profumum Roma 2015

Meringa is a fragrance by Profumum Roma, made exclusively for Osswald. Honestly - I think it is incredibly well done, as its composition (consciously or unconsciously) features some wonderfully ironic elements, making it a joy to wear time and again.

Meringa actually refers to the delicate egg white pastry known as meringues. However, when I smell Meringa, I don’t think of this rather low-calorie treat. The combination of jasmine, orange blossom, tonka, and vanilla makes me think more of other Italian dolci. Aragoste, cannoli, profiteroles - whatever. As long as there’s plenty of vanilla cream and it’s beautifully rich. Calorie-conscious dolci? Pff, how boring. There can hardly be a more confident rejection of the delicate meringues, which are merely accepted as decoration for the actual sweet creation.

Moreover, the fragrance is sold at Osswald at Paradeplatz, right next to Sprüngli. At Sprüngli, there really is very fine patisserie. Truffes cake, various tarts, truffles, Luxemburgerli, cream slices, and much more. Unfortunately, the problem is that this patisserie is fine in every sense. It tastes good, but they are always such delicate or small creations that it’s only a brief enjoyment.

Personally, I prefer to go to my favorite pasticceria near Langstrasse in Zurich. Yes, it’s not as posh an area as Paradeplatz, but there you get creations to indulge in. Puff pastry filled with heaps of cream and in not-too-small portions. Wonderful tarts that leave you so full you can hardly move. Because being a gourmet is nice, but being a gourmand can often be so much, much better.

Looking refined and sophisticated is nice. But sometimes it can also be quite boring. So why not indulge to your heart’s content and wear Meringa? At least for me, it’s a pleasure.