Tis the season — to trick or treat. is the start of a season filled with a lot of indulgence in . People stock up on bags of candy, some they give away to trick or treaters, most they end up keeping for weeks after the holiday to nosh on.
But before you spend your coins on a literal mixed bag of treats, did you know there are a number of Black-owned candy and chocolate brands you can support? Most Black confectioners are known for making chocolate; some dabble in candy apples and tricked-out fruits. All of them are making their mark in a competitive, delicious space. If you’re looking to get a taste of some black-owned goodies, here are a few to try.
From ornate chocolates that include unique flavors like blood orange and pumpkin spiced caramel to bourbon pecan chocolate popcorn and rich turtles, James Beard-nominated master chocolatier Phillip Ashley is crafting luxury chocolates that not only taste amazing but look fantastic, too. Tropical flavored pickles? Candy apples? Strawberries and cream bark? You can find it all on creator T’Juanna’s site, Lizzie Lu Luxury Treats, a business that honors her grandmother. At her locations in Texas (Irving and Dallas), sweet tooths are satiated thanks to additional treats like candy grapes, cookies in flavors like banana pudding, cake in jars (like cheesecake), ice cream, and more.
Did anybody else grow up eating something called “puppy chow” at school? Maybe you knew it as “muddy buddies”? Whatever the preferred moniker.