XAN Confections: One Bite Says it All
Categories: Food, My Writing, Product Reviews
SOMETIMES IT’S GOOD TO BE NAUGHTY. Take, for example, the ‘Saintly Sins’ chocolate collection created by XAN Confections co-owner Susan Johnson and chocolatier Tracey L. Downey.
Each piece of these artfully designed candies contains a mere 29-calories, 1-gram of fat, is low-glycemic, gluten free, diabetic friendly, non-dairy and vegan.
Available in three flavors (raspberry, pineapple and strawberry), I found these treats to be more rewarding than full-sugar chocolates offered for tasting at last month’s San Francisco Fancy Foods Show.
Perhaps it is the fine quality of the ingredients being used, or just the skill of the candy-maker, but a clear, real fruit taste came through in each delicious bite.
XAN’s second “lifestyle chocolates” product line is equally tasty — and perhaps even more breathtakingly beautiful to look at.
‘The Jewel Collection’ consists of “oxymoronic caramels”: non-dairy caramels covered in chocolate, sweetened with agave and air-brushed with sparkling jewel-like colors including rich purple (ancho chili flavor), brilliant turquoise (butterscotch), burgundy (raspberry) and deep bronze (espresso almond). The shimmery luster finish of these candies comes from a unique, edible mica spray.
In total, the company currently offers sixty-five different gourmet chocolate products including the XAN ‘Signature Collection,’ ‘The BigMouth Collection’ and ‘LadybuG Truffles.’
The ‘LadybuG Truffles’ line is filling a gap left when Hershey’s bought — and closed — the Bay Area’s renowned Joseph Schmidt Confections.
Schmidt’s line of exquisite, double-sized chocolate truffles was beloved by both consumers and restaurateurs. Similar to Schmidt’s truffles, the ‘LadybuG’ line has a six-month shelf life, features 15 flavor combinations (in dark or milk chocolate), and uses all natural, high-quality ingredients including French fleur de sel, citrus, nuts and liquers.
As XAN’s award-winning Chocolatier (and Research & Development Director), Tracey Downey has studied under several world renowned chocolatiers, pastry chefs and food scientists.
She is best known for her ‘BigMouth Collection’ — a selection of premium toffees, brittles, and over-sized specialty chocolates (childhood favorites like chocolate-covered marshmallows, S’mores, Turtles, etc.) that is dedicated to the memory of her late father, talk show host Morton Downey Jr.
XAN Confections’ products are made in Orange County’s Irvine, and can be purchased at Bristol Farms and Whole Foods stores in Laguna Niguel, California. The products are also available by mail order at: XAN Confections.
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AS A FEATURED publisher with Foodbuzz, I attended the 35th NASFT Winter Fancy Food Show as a correspondent on their behalf.
