These small flavored anise drops have been made in France since the 17th century. The base of the Flavigny candy is anise. The Anise used is an umbelliferous plant and its small oval fruits, striated longitudinally, have a warm, spicy flavor and a remarkably aromatic scent. Then Flavigny places the seeds in large pans and pour sugar syrup (water and sugar) over them. The seeds roll over one another and gradually become covered in fine successive layers of syrup, kind of like snowballs tumbling down a snowy hill.This rotation in pans also makes the candies become smooth, like stones that are rolled on the beach by the incessant waves of the sea. The process involves delicate, patient work; the candy-maker needs 15 days to transform the small seed that weighs barely two milligrams into a one-gram candy. Of course that's a big change over the ancient process that took 6 months! The taste for anise-flavored beverages was introduced to the shores of the Mediterranean in ancient times, during the Turkish and Hellenic domination. The cultivation of anise then gradually expanded to the entire Mediterranean area. The natural flavors are extracted from plants by steam or alcohol distillation. For mint, for example, the leaves are placed in a still, and then the water is heated. The steam that is formed crosses through the leaves and is impregnated with mint essential oil. The essential oil is recovered, after passing through the goose-neck, when the conduit crosses through a bath of cold water.
C**M
Lovely. Quality.
These violet/lavender-ish tasting hard candies are delicious. The subtle flavor is lovely.
H**R
Wonderful flavor
You have to like violet flavor, which is sort of perfumy. But if you do, these are the best! Little hard candies with a fennel seed inside. Soothing and satisfying.
C**T
I've loved this violet/licorice mint my entire life. They're expensive, but the most delicious!
I've loved this violet/licorice mint my entire life. They're expensive, but the most delicious! (Anise is a licorice flavored spice.) These mints are hard candy mints & are a nice mint for cleansing the taste buds after a meal. Flavigney makes several other mint flavors, but this one is my favorite. The mints are made in France. I'd highly recommend them.!
B**A
Yum
I love a taste, smell, and size of these mints. I have been eating them since childhood. They’re perfect for putting in your car and very durable.
L**E
Unusual violet/anise taste candy
Uses: palette cleaner after eating; helps settle nausea, serves as a small but satisfying sugar craving. I’ve offered some to half a dozen friends who were surprised at the unusual taste but like the candies. These are hard to find in stores so I was glad to find them thru Amazon.
B**N
Yummy old man candy
My mom kept these in her nightstand when I was a kid. They are from France. They remind me of growing up and getting a special treat. The taste isn't for everybody -- I mean, VIOLET candy? With a licorice seed in the middle? But I love them. They are comforting and wonderful. But the price is a bit steep.
O**S
Yummy. Just yummy.
Arrived on time and in good condition.
K**H
Canno stop
Delicious to suck and. Anise at the end is
Trustpilot
Hace 1 mes
Hace 3 semanas