Origin
It is the provencal confectionary the most famous and the most well-known. The “Calisson” is a lozenge-shaped sweet made of ground almonds and flavoured with melon and orange candied. But there are different versions from the “Calisson” origin.
Come back in time…
At
the 15th century, between 1454 and 1473. the King Rene and
Jeanne De Laval had just to get married and the festivities
followed on from each other. The princess, who was known to be a person who
never smiled, chose a biscuit among the present food during the weeding meal.
When she tasted the delicacies, a smile appeared on her face. All the gathering
wondered which had been succeeded in doing to smile Jeanne. A courtier exclaimed
: “Di Calin Soun” which means “They are
cuddles”. The Calisson was born.
According to more rational hypothesis, the Calisson name origin come from Antiquity, in Italians or in Greeks. The Calissons were called either “Calisone”or “Kalitsounia.
According to italian testimonies, the Calisson is dated of the 17th century. The consumption aim was, above all, religious. In fact, the archbishop blessed the sweet above give it to its believers.
At the period, the Calisson was known to its power against the plague. From name “Calicem” in Italian, it is become “Calissoun” in provencal and “Calisson” in french.
In Provence, the Calisson expansion is done during the 16th century with almond trees multiplication and provencal climate.
Since five century, it is the speciality of Aix-en-Provence city. The Calisson
is celebrated and blessed each year in Aix-en-Provence
