At the turn of the century in Czarist Russia, the privileged enjoyed an opulent lifestyle.
Eugenia Tay (now Hauser) and her family had a tradition of celebrating first snowfall by drizzling melted caramelized sugar onto the fresh snow. As the sugar cooled, it quickly hardened into crisp lacy patterns.
They would take these morsels and dip them into pots of dark chocolate. During the Russian Revolution, Tay immigrated to the United States, settling in New York.
It was at that time that she began making Chocolate Lace for others outside her family. “People started asking me to make it for them for gifts”, Mrs. Hauser said. Eventually, a machine was developed to help her make the product.
This treat is still made today in Connecticut on a small machine that Eugenia designed, which recreates those lacy patterns she remembered from her childhood.
No two pieces are the same. You can buy some along I-95 at Exit 21 at The Chocolate Shoppe. Kids will love the showcase full of 21 colors of M & M’s and 21 flavors of Jelly Bellies.
The Chocolate Shoppe
1614 Post Rd., Fairfield.
I-95 at Exit 21
877-234-9210
http://www.hauserchocolates.com