Good Flavors Are Universal: Liang Wang of KESSHŌ Chocolate
"Language and food are the two vehicles that can help people understand each other better."
That's Liang Wang, co-founder and chocolate maker at KESSHŌ Chocolate in Austin, Texas. KESSHŌ makes craft chocolate bars inspired by Asian cuisine and ingredients. These bars open up worlds to the curious taster that might otherwise have remained closed.
I met Liang in person for the first time at the Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival in November, and was pleased sit down with her recently to talk about how these concepts are created, and how flavor can bridge cultural divides to speak to something deeper in our shared humanity, something more important now than ever.
You can learn more about KESSHŌ Chocolate on their website, or follow them on Instagram.
You can listen to my episode with Estelle Tracy about pairing with tea here, and our episode in which we paired KESSHŌ's Lamb Skewer bar here.
Check out David's book Pairing Beer & Chocolate: A Guide to Bringing the Flavors of Craft Beer and Craft Chocolate Together.
Sign up for host David Nilsen's beer newsletter for regular beer musings, and the Bean to Barstool newsletter for pairings, collaborations, and maker profiles.
The music for this episode is by my dear friend, indie folk musician Anna ps. You can find out more about Anna’s music in the show notes or at their website annapsmusic.com, where you can also get in touch to book them to play at your brewery or other establishment.
Guest:
Liang Wang
Born in Beijing and now based in Austin, Texas, Liang Wang creates confections that connect cultures and spark nostalgia. A former consultant turned culinary artisan, she was inspired by travels through India and Japan, where she studied pastry and chocolate making before launching her first food venture in Beijing with her business partner, Mark. Now she leads a small team focused on ethical sourcing, local impact, and inventive flavors. Her desserts often resonate with those seeking a taste of home or a new experience rooted in heritage. Calm, curious, and creative, she brings both heart and precision to everything she makes.