The Meaning of Cassis
Often we are asked how we chose the name for our business and what does it mean.
When Ayelet decided to open her catering business she wanted the name to reflect the
values she strives for; and convey something that is unique, stylish and easily recognized.
Without hesitation she knew exactly what name she wanted – Cassis. Growing up in the
Mediterranean, black currants where used in many dishes one of them being gum drops.
She fondly remembers this as her favorite treat. This also happens to be the name of a
town in France that she loves.
For many years she created dishes that required the use of Black Currants (known as
Cassis) and also the liquor made from the berries called Crème de Cassis. This fruit has
many health benefits and is used in specialty drinks and creating unique cuisine.
Dictionary Meaning
Pronunciation: kah-SEES
Definition: A syrupy liquor (Crème de Cassis) of low alcoholic strength made from black
currants and used mainly as a flavoring and sweetening agent.
The Fruit
The Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) is a species of currant
native to central and northern Europe and northern Asia. It
is a small shrub growing to 1-2 meters tall. The fruit is an
edible berry 1 cm diameter, very dark purple in color,
almost black, with a glossy skin. It is naturally high in
vitamin C content.
Research has shown that blackcurrants contain twice the
antioxidants of blueberries, four times the vitamin C of
oranges and twice the potassium of bananas. Other studies
concluded that two compounds found in blackcurrants,
anthocyanins and polyphenolics, may help protect against
Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, blackcurrant seed oil is a
rich source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a very rare
essential fatty acid.
Blackcurrants have a very sweet and sharp taste. They are
made into jelly, jam, juice, ice cream, cordial and liqueur.
A relative of the blackcurrant is the redcurrant which is
slightly sourer. Now you know where our restaurant name
came from.
Black Currant Fields
Harvesting Black Currants
A Town in France
Cassis is situated on the Mediterranean coast, about 20 km
east from Marseille in the Provence region of France. Its
population is about 8,000 residents. This little seaside resort
is snuggled at the foot of a very tall cliff called Cap Canaille.
Cassis is a wonderful place to stroll about with its picturesque
fishing port lined with cafes and restaurants.
The local stone of Cassis (cement-limestone), which was
exploited here since antiquity made it famous. The stone for
the harbors of the large Mediterranean ports are from Cassis,
(Alexandria, Algiers, Piraeus, Marseille and Port Said) even
the base of the Statue of Liberty in New York came from
here.
Cassis is still a small fishing port, but the little fishing boats
now share the harbor with yachts and a collection of tourist
boats for visiting the calanques – long, narrow, deep fjordlike inlets that have cut into the limestone cliffs.