Jack Bessudo is celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month in the sweetest way.
Celebrating pride in his Mexican heritage and love of candy at the same time, Jack and his husband Declan Simmons created Tamalitoz , an Austin-based take on traditional chili-covered sweets.
The treats — which wrap sweet candy over a chili powder pillow — were named after a customer who said they looked like “tiny candy tamales,” or “tamalitos” in Spanish.
Looking to expand to the U.S., Tamalitoz moved its candy operations from Mexico City stateside to share the sweetness with Austinites. However, the candies are still produced in Tijuana.
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from Sept. 15-Oct. 15, but more than a dozen flavors of Tamalitoz are available year-round at your neighborhood H-E-B, Royal Blue Grocery, and Big Top Candy Shop.