Day: December 31, 2015

What is the praline and why is it so popular?

on December 31, 2015

Any self-proclaimed candy connoisseur, sweet specialist and treat treasurer should know about earthly delights known as pralines. Even bonbon backers who have heard of pralines or tasted the sweet clusters of almonds or pecans and caramel might not know their origin and where they are so  often enjoyed in the United States.

A brief history of the praline
The creation of the praline involves French 17th century diplomat César, duc de Choiseul, comte du Plessis-Praslin, who was known for wooing as much as for pralines. Although the precise nature of the praline’s origin is not 100 percent clear, most historians agree that Plessis-Praslin’s personal chef, Clement Lassagne, concocted the confection.

One praline origin story notes that Lassagne drew inspiration from young children nibbling on crumbs of almonds and caramel left on serving trays while another story involves a clumsy apprentice knocking a container of almonds into a vat of gurgling caramel. Either way, Lassagne was reportedly the architect of these divinely sweet and rich treats that his employer — and his creation’s namesake — used in his wooing and courting efforts. He would order a bundle of the sweets packed into a box and delivered with his name attached. At that point, people began calling the irresistible treats after him.

Why are pralines so specifically associated with the Southern United States?
Ursuline nuns came to New Orleans in 1727 to watch over the young French women brought to the Southern United States to marry French colonists. The young women, often orphans, came with only a casket, or small box, of their belongs. The wise Ursuline nuns accompanied the young women to help them become upstanding women, set to marry and settle in the colonies. As the nuns shared their homeland treats, locals tried to mimic the recipe. Since almonds were not local and in ready supply in the region, local confection makers used pecans to classic results, giving the praline a local flair all its own. The pecan created a unique texture and soon became an important part of the local industry, sold in Jackson Square by older Creole women called “Pralinieres.”

While Texas and Savannah, Georgia vie for bragging rights on this sweet treat, history tends to sway the vote to Louisiana, though River Street Sweets•Savannah’s Candy Kitchen would beg to differ. Regardless of the specific area, the praline is a traditionally a Southern treasure and source of great pride.

One other small point of contention lies in the pronunciation of the candy’s name. New Orleans residents ardently believe the “a” sound is long, as in “praw-leen,” giving it more of a French sound while Texans, Georgians and New Englanders prefer pronouncing it as “pray-leen,” joking that it isn’t a fish, playing on the pronunciation of “prawn.”

Where else can praline-lovers readily find these treats throughout the United States?
While pralines still maintain a stronghold in the Southern United States, fans in the Northeast can find them in places like Bristol, Vermont and Lenox, Massachusetts. However, praline fans all around the world can order these delights from various online distributors from their origin of choice.

The World Famous Pralines sold by River Street Sweets•Savannah’s Candy Kitchen are a popular mail order item, both during the holidays and year round. Co-owner Jennifer Strickland was born in Louisiana and took many trips to New Orleans as a kid. The Strickland family researched and perfected their praline recipe, which is the same one River Street Sweets•Savannah’s Candy Kitchen uses today.

For more information on how to try the best praline around, and to find out how to get in on the business yourself, head to www.riverstreetcandykitchen.com.

 
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Popular Candies for the Winter Holiday

on December 31, 2015

The holidays have arrived, and everyone is looking forward to all the season brings. Gifts, holiday lights and decorations, quality time with family and friends, Yule logs blazing in the hearth, hot chocolate, great food and of course candy. Sweet confections have become a long-standing tradition for the midwinter celebrations; a tradition that’s shared across cultural and religious spectrums. If there’s one thing that brings people together in the spirit of good cheer and brotherly love, it’s candy. Those who own a candy shop franchise know this, and they strive to make sure they have something for everyone. Here are a few winter holiday candy favorites to inspire you when visiting your favorite online candy store this holiday season.

 

Christmas Fudge – Who doesn’t have fond childhood memories of the luscious, rich fudge their mother and grandmother whipped up for Christmas? Fudge making goes back hundreds of years, first made in the homes of European farmers and peasants. You can still enjoy that Old World goodness today with handmade chocolate and pecan fudge, just like you remember.

 

Hanukkah Gelt – The Jewish people have traditionally celebrated Hanukkah with chocolates shaped in the form of gold coins, often wrapped in gold foil known as Hanukkah gelt, or gold. This sweet treat is often given to children during the festival, but adults take pleasure in the time-old tradition as well. During Hanukkah it is also tradition to celebrate each of the eight nights of light with a different treat. Surprise your Jewish friends with an assortment of treats from your favorite candy shop franchise to help them celebrate the Festival of Lights this year.

 

Kwanzaa Treats – Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration of African heritage and culture that is observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, just after Christmas. Much like Hanukkah, each day of the holiday is dedicated to a different principle of African philosophy like unity, faith and purpose. It is a festive time of feasting and friendship, and fruits are especially enjoyed. Celebrate Kwanzaa with a delicious selection of gourmet candy apples, the perfect complement to the season.