Treat the one you care about to France’s most famous confection: the Calisson, an exquisite iced-marzipan candy, is a subtle combination of blanched almonds, candied orange peels and candied melon. It is lozenge-shaped, its heart is soft and the confection is covered with royal icing. These delicious French treats are presented in a pretty lozenge-shaped box. (7.41 oz)

Aix-en-Provence is situated in Southern France, in the Provence region, and the Calissons have been a specialty of this town since the 15th century. History depicts Jeanne de Laval as an austere woman who never smiled. She got married to King René in 1454 and the legend says that on their wedding day, she smiled after tasting what was to be later called a “calisson”. The guests inquired as to what she had eaten that made her smile. “Di calin soun” was the reply, meaning “cuddling” in Provençal. The confection was given the name “calisson” as a result of the smile of a queen. Another legend says that the candy name “calisson” comes from the word “chalice”. As the city of Aix-en-Provence was devastated by an epidemic of plague in 1630, small biscuits of marzipan that had been blessed by the archbishop were given to the faithful to protect them against the infection.

Ingredients: candied melons, almonds, cane sugar, powdered sugar, candied orange peels, unleavened bread, corn syrup, egg albumin, natural flavour. May contain traces of nuts and/or gluten.