Pierre Hermé (Photo: Thomas Laisne)
Cover Pierre Hermé (Photo: Thomas Laisne)

Celebrity pastry chef and chocolatier Pierre Hermé dishes on his favourite Nespresso blend and year-end holiday festivities

The festive season is a time for cheer, carols, and candy canes. For Pierre Hermé, fondly known as the “Picasso of pastry”, the festive season means a time for reunions with friends and family. “I love having people over at my house and enjoy good moments with them over a nice meal,” shares Hermé. “Paris is also so special during the holiday season. I love being in the city and feeling the festive atmosphere everywhere.”

And so it comes as no surprise that Hermé has teamed up with Nespresso to release a limited-edition festive coffee collection inspired by the city of Paris—and French patisseries.

In this exclusive interview, Tatler chats with the culinary icon about his own festive traditions and creating this collection with Nespresso.

See also: Christmas 2022: The Best Food Gifts To Buy

Tatler Asia
The full Nespresso x Pierre Hermé collection entails an advent calendar, special blends, and a travel mug. (Photo: Nespresso Malaysia)
Above The festive collection inspired by Pierre Hermé’s love of Paris includes three new coffees, the advent calendar and more. (Photo: Nespresso Malaysia)

What are your celebratory year-end holiday traditions?

Every year, I host my family at my house in Paris. We are a [huge] family and have this tradition of getting together and sharing a good meal over wines and gifts. I am always very grateful for these moments and look forward to it this year!

What is an ideal year-end holiday morning to you?

An ideal year-end holiday morning for me is one where I do not have early appointments. I usually have a very busy agenda, but towards the end of the year, I am usually able to enjoy a few precious days off. I will usually take the opportunity to relax, enjoy my morning coffee at home and cook breakfast for my wife.

Tatler Asia
Pierre Hermé created this collection out of his love for coffee and pastries (Photo: Thomas Laisne)
Above Pierre Hermé created this collection out of his love for coffee and pastries (Photo: Thomas Laisne)

What enticed you to work with Nespresso?

What I appreciate from my collaboration with Nespresso is that both our brands, Pierre Hermé Paris and Nespresso, have the same attention to detail and a concern for quality. We both put taste at the forefront of what we are doing to offer an elevated and differentiating experience.

What has been the most interesting or fun part about this collaboration?

I am very proud of the collection we have developed together as it offers a full sensorial experience, from the coffees to the chocolates, the biscuits and the candle developed with Olivia Giacobetti.

What I am most grateful for from this collaboration is the trip to Colombia I went on to go to the fields, meet with coffee farmers, and really understand all of the care that Nespresso puts into coffee sourcing. I met wonderful people during this trip and I will remember this experience forever.

See also: 7 Coffee Trucks and Stands to Visit in the Klang Valley

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Photo 1 of 3 Infiniment Espresso (Photo: Nespresso)
Photo 2 of 3 A coffee drink made with Infiniment Fruité Saveur Framboise (Photo: Nespresso)
Photo 3 of 3 A coffee drink made with Infiniment Gourmand Saveur Noisette (Photo: Nespresso)

Of all the recipes you have created with Nespresso, which one is your favourite and why?

I must say that I love all the signature recipes we have created. However, if I had to choose one, I think it would be the Infiniment Fruité Champagne Cocktail because of its unexpected flavour. The pairing of the coffee with champagne and rose syrup is simply delicious.

One secret I have to taste this cocktail is to enjoy it with a reusable straw. When taking your sip, ensure to start at the bottom of the glass and then work your way up as you mix the flavours together.

Tatler Asia
Pierre Hermé (Photo: Thomas Laisne)
Above Pierre Hermé (Photo: Thomas Laisne)

Why did you choose the specific notes of hazelnut and raspberries in your coffee collection and what were your inspirations?

The idea was to bring the world of Pierre Hermé Paris into the world of Nespresso. Both flavoured coffees are a nod to emblematic flavours of the house. I am what we call a hazelnut addict. I think I am eating hazelnuts almost each day. And hazelnut and coffee pair so well together that it was a natural match.

On the other hand, raspberry might sound unexpected as a flavour for coffee, but we were able to create such a subtle yet very aromatic flavour. I am extremely proud of that coffee.

How does the co-created collection with Nespresso breathe the concept of “Gift of Joie de Vivre” into life? Can you tell us why Malaysians shouldn’t miss the collection?

The holiday collection we created with Nespresso is a true sensorial experience not to miss. We have created a collection around taste, inspired by the world of French pastry, to please the Nespresso coffee lovers. Picturing Malaysians enjoying one of the Infiniment coffees fills me with joy.

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