This assortment of miniature calissons and marzipan confections evoke the Christmas spirit in Provence, France. The minia calissons are a subtle combination of blanched almonds, candied orange peels and candied melon. They are lozenge-shaped and the pieces are covered with royal icing. The marzipan confections (called "pâte d'amande" in French) are made with almonds of the highest quality and have the shapes of different fruits reminiscent of the orchards in Provence. The box contains 16 miniature calissons and 9 fruit-shaped marzipan confections. (6.34 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.