The Christmas end of year holiday season takes on a special meaning in France’s celebrated Provence region where living Nativity scenes, the hand-crafted santon figurines and the 13 special desserts (representing Christ and the 12 Apostles) are all being played out during this season which traditionally lasts from the Saint Barbara on December 4th until Candlemas on February 2nd. The 13 desserts are associated with all of Provence, but originally originated in the County of Nice, according to the French Riviera Tourist Board. These include the four beggars representing the Catholic religious orders that have taken a vow of poverty: walnuts and hazelnuts for the Augustinians, dried figs for the Franciscans, almonds for the Carmelites and raisins for the Dominicans. These are the four essentials while the others vary according to region or family traditions but can include brioche made with olive oil, black and white local nougat, apples and pears, plums, oranges, candied fruit and quince jelly or paste. And for some the famous calissons of the city of Aix-en-Provence, said to have first been made in the 15th century. This is a singular dessert, small cake-like sweets that bring together finely ground almonds, candied melon from the Provencal town of Apt, orange peel all placed upon a small cake and covered with white icing (our favorite). And it is with these calissons that Calin Polisson, The Gourmet Gazette’s Fine Fare Find, comes in to play.

The Liquoristerie de Provence has created a new taste sensation this year that is perfect for the end of the year festivities with a creamy liqueur revolving around the tastes of the famous calissons of Provence. The liqueur — Calin Polisson, Crème de Provence, — calin means hug in French, revolves around a marc de Provence — a liquor that is distilled from what is left after the grapes are pressed in wine production, providing a taste-intensive eau-de-vie or brandy. The Calin Polisson from the Liquoristerie de Provence is flavoured with local ingredients notably candied fruits, almonds, orange flower, melon and vanilla all blend together with vegetal milk (yes, perfect for those vegan guests). Serve it chilled with or without ice. ©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette. https://www.liquoristerie-de-provence.com/en/