(1888PressRelease)
August 19, 2006 - While super-premium chocolate has become increasingly mainstream in recent years, many other types of gourmet sweets remain relatively unknown. Think of nougat from France, fig confections from Italy, berry pâtes de fruit (jelly candy) from Oregon, all-natural hard candy from England, or thyme honey from Greece.
“There’s a whole world of sweets beyond chocolate that most people aren’t familiar with,” says Dawn Van Hee, owner of the online shop ArtisanSweets.com. “We want to bring attention to these authentic, real-food delicacies that can be hard to find outside of a particular region.” Artisan Sweets offers a wide range of gourmet candy, fruit and nut confections, varietal honeys, and specialty sweeteners. And even if you are a chocoholic, not to worry! The site also features a few unique chocolate items that “we couldn’t resist carrying,” adds Van Hee.
Whether you’re searching for a small indulgence for yourself or a distinctive gourmet gift gourmet gift for that foodie on your list, ArtisanSweets.com presents an exclusive collection of products for the discriminating sweet tooth. Some current favorites include:
Varietal Honeys: The ArtisanSweets.com HoneyStore offers single-source honeys from around the world. “People are just beginning to appreciate and collect fine honeys, much like wine. The floral source, region, climate, and skill of the beekeeper all contribute to giving each batch of honey its own personality,” says Van Hee. $7.50 to $20 per jar.
Sweet Botanicals: Made in small batches using traditional methods, this distinctive natural candy from England come in an astonishing range of flavors, from fruity to herbal. Pure essential oil flavors, like lavender or ginger-orange, make them edible aromatherapy. $6.50 each, custom gift sets $22 to $75.
Heirloom Italian Confections: Artisan confectioner Pietro Romanengo fu Stefano has been producing traditional sweets in Genova, Italy, for over 200 years. ArtisanSweets.com offers a taste of history with its selection of remarkable Romanengo dragees (sugared almonds, pine nuts, pistachios, fennel seed, orange peel, and cinnamon bark), fondants, cordials, and candied fruit. $10 to $60.
Spoon Sweets Collection: Natural marshmallow cream, authentic dulce de leche, salted butter crčme caramel sauce, and chocolate-hazelnut gianduja (the gourmet version of Nutella) are some of the unique treats found in jars at ArtisanSweets.com. $4.50 to $45.00.
