KESSHO Makes First-Ever Expo West Appearance, Showcasing Award-Winning Asian-Inspired Chocolate and Gelato

Austin-based brand brings bold innovation - plus values-driven sourcing from organic cacao, Texas dairy, and Japanese-grown ingredients

AUSTIN, Texas (Feb. 27, 2026) - KESSHO (pronounced Keh-shoh), the Austin-based maker of Asian-inspired craft chocolate and gelato, will debut at Natural Products Expo West 2026 - its first time exhibiting at the industry's leading natural products trade show. KESSHO will introduce buyers, retailers, and media to a portfolio spanning award-winning chocolate and ultra-premium gelato, built around a mission to connect the East and the West through high-quality, ultra-tasty desserts.

KESSHO will exhibit March 4–6, 2026 at the Anaheim Convention Center (event dates: March 3–6, 2026) and can be found at Booth #8923.

A modern Asian perspective on Western pastry - built by lifelong makers

KESSHO was founded in 2019 in Shanghai by Liang Wang and Mark Huetsch, then relocated to Austin in 2023. The founders have operated a successful bakery business in China since 2009, evolving from American-style pies into Asian-inspired interpretations of Western cakes and gelatos - a creative approach that became the foundation for KESSHO's signature style.

Liang is a Le Cordon Bleu Tokyo graduate, and Mark is a Stanford University alumnus (Chinese and Computer Science). Since the brand launched, KESSHO has earned 20+ international awards, driven by a track record of innovation and reinterpretation of Western pastry through an Asian lens.

Current retail landscape: nearly 200 doors and growing

KESSHO products are currently sold in nearly 200 retail doors, with continued expansion planned across both chocolate/candy and frozen categories. At Expo West, the team will be seeking new retail and distribution partners, as well as press opportunities to share the brand story and flavor-forward innovation.

What KESSHO is sampling at Expo West

KESSHO's lineup is designed to deliver immediate "wow" factor while remaining rooted in real culinary traditions and high-quality ingredients.

Featured Chocolate Flavors

• Lamb Skewer Goat Milk Chocolate

• Salted Plum Dark Chocolate

• Black Sesame Butter Cup

Featured Gelato Flavors

• Black Sesame Butter Cup Gelato

• Mango Sticky Rice Dairy-free Gelato

Ingredient sourcing that reflects the brand's values

KESSHO's product development starts with ingredients—and with relationships behind them:

• Organic cacao beans sourced through transparent trading partners, with a focus on empowering farmers across African and Central American cacao-growing regions

• Grass-fed, non-GMO, low-pasteurized milk from a local, Texas family-owned dairy for KESSHO's dairy gelato and confections

• Select Japanese ingredients sourced through direct relationships with co-ops and farmers in Japan, supporting traceability and authenticity in key flavor components

Meet KESSHO at Expo West 2026

Natural Products Expo West 2026
Anaheim Convention Center - Anaheim, CA
Event: March 3–6, 2026 | Exhibit Halls: March 4–6, 2026
Booth: #8923

About KESSHO

KESSHO is an Austin-based craft chocolate and gelato brand founded in 2019 by Liang Wang and Mark Huetsch. With roots in a bakery business launched in 2009, KESSHO is known for innovative, Asian-inspired reinterpretations of Western pastry, and has earned 20+ international awards since inception. The brand's mission is to connect East and West through ultra-tasty desserts made with thoughtfully sourced ingredients - from organic cacao to local Texas dairy and select Japanese-grown components.