How to Make Rose Mendiants

Chocolate mendiants are an unusual but truly delicious French confectionery treat, that were traditionally given out at Christmas time.  Pretty to look at, and each one a little bite sized treat of both sweetness and crunch, they are colourful way to round up a dinner or a luxurious little treat to enjoy with a coffee or wee dram of whiskey.

Mendiants are small discs of dark chocolate studded with fruits and nuts which traditionally symbolised the colour of the robes belonging to the four mendiants - or beggars - of the French monastic orders. 

They were originally created to be enjoyed at the end of Christmas dinner in Provence, and were one of Les 13 Desserts de Noël - so numbered to represent Jesus and his twelve apostles.

Whilst thirteen desserts may sound like unrestrained indulgence for a religious feast, the choice was very simple. It included black and white nougat, olive oil bread, various nuts, and dried or fresh fruit; the mendiants were actually one of the more decadent treats.

What fruit and nuts should you use in a French mendiant?

Traditionally the fruits and nuts of mendiants symbolised the monastic orders; raisins for the Dominicans, hazelnuts for the Augustins, dried figs for the Franciscans, and almonds for the Carmelites.

Today though, the approach is more one of creativity and you can choose any combination of crystallised fruits and nuts.  This rose version is oh so pretty to look at and has the wonderfully exotic taste of the Far East from the coconut and rose petals.  We'd love to hear your creations - comment below!