KESSHŌ takes its name from the Japanese word for “crystal,” a symbol of clarity, purity, and transformation. Just as a crystal forms over time through the right balance of elements, every bar of KESSHŌ chocolate is the result of patience, precision, and respect for nature’s raw materials.

Behind KESSHŌ are co-founders Liang Wang and Mark Huetsch, partners in both craft and vision. Liang was born and raised in Beijing, where she fell in love with pastry and honed her chocolate-making skills in Tokyo. Mark, who grew up in the Midwestern United States, cultivated passions for both computer science and Chinese studies at Stanford. In 2009, their paths joined in Beijing when they opened Pantry’s Best, a bakery that became known for reimagining Asian ingredients into Western-style desserts.

Over the next decade, their shared curiosity led them deeper into the world of flavor, until they encountered bean-to-bar chocolate. Fascinated by its transparency and endless possibilities, they began making chocolate in 2018, sourcing cacao through close relationships with pioneers like Simran from Kokoa Kamili and Emily from Uncommon Cacao. Their work soon earned recognition with ICA and AOC awards, but more importantly, it fueled their mission: to create chocolate that bridges cultures and tells stories through taste.

Post-pandemic, Liang and Mark relocated to Austin, Texas, where KESSHŌ continues to grow. Each bar is an exploration of Asian flavors expressed through the lens of global craft chocolate. From yuzu and hojicha to lychee rose and salted plum, every recipe crystallizes their belief that chocolate is both an art and a conversation: between farmers and makers, ingredients and traditions, origins and reinterpretations.

Even the packaging—inspired by watercolor painting and traditional Chinese brush techniques—reflects this dialogue, blending artistry with heritage. With every bar, KESSHŌ hopes to be more than chocolate: a portal to cultures, a celebration of provenance, and a spark of joy that connects people across the globe.