Fly By Jing and KESSHŌ launch Sichuan-inspired chocolate set for AAPI Heritage Month

By AI, Created 9:53 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Fly By Jing and Austin-based KESSHŌ are teaming up on a limited-edition three-bar chocolate set flavored with Sichuan chili crisp, peppercorns and black sesame. All profits will go to Heart of Dinner, which supports Asian American elders facing food insecurity in New York City and Los Angeles.

Why it matters: - The collaboration ties AAPI Heritage Month marketing to direct community support, with 100% of profits going to Heart of Dinner. - The release also extends both brands’ focus on Asian flavors into a premium dessert format. - The partnership spotlights Asian- and woman-owned small businesses building products around flavors that have often been treated as niche.

What happened: - Fly By Jing partnered with KESSHŌ on a limited-edition Spicy Sichuan Chocolate Bar Set for AAPI Heritage Month. - The set is available at Fly By Jing and KESSHŌ while supplies last. - The collection includes three chocolate bars built around Sichuan chili crisp, Sichuan peppercorns and black sesame. - Fly By Jing Founder and CEO Jing Gao said she first met KESSHŌ founders Liang and Mark in Shanghai years ago.

The details: - Sichuan Chili Crisp Black Sesame White Chocolate pairs white chocolate with Fly By Jing Original Sichuan Chili Crisp and toasted black sesame. - Sichuan Hot Pot Dark Chocolate combines dark chocolate with Sichuan peppercorn, Sichuan chili peppers and fermented soy beans. - Sichuan Chili Crisp Dark Milk Chocolate uses smooth dark milk chocolate with Fly By Jing Xtra Crunchy Sichuan Chili Crisp. - The collaboration aims at the “swicy” trend by pairing heat and sweetness in a chocolate format. - KESSHŌ makes the chocolates by hand in Austin. - Fly By Jing was founded in 2018 to bring Sichuan flavors mainstream. - KESSHŌ was founded in 2019 by Mark Huetsch and Liang Wang.

Between the lines: - The partnership gives both brands a way to turn cultural storytelling into a product launch with a charitable component. - Gao has personally supported Heart of Dinner since its founding, making the nonprofit a natural fit for the collaboration. - The release also reinforces Fly By Jing’s broader strategy of backing AAPI-owned businesses as it grew its own brand. - Fly By Jing says it has driven over one-third of chili crisp category growth.

What’s next: - Sales will continue only while inventory lasts. - Proceeds will support Heart of Dinner’s work serving Asian American elders in New York City and Los Angeles. - Heart of Dinner says it has delivered more than 250,000 meals since 2020 and now serves 800+ elders each week. - The nonprofit has also directed more than $2.1 million back to local small businesses.

The bottom line: - The launch is both a flavor experiment and a fundraising campaign, using limited-edition chocolate to channel money to elder food support.”}