We chose Mezia as a nod to Mézenc because we have a foot in both departments: Ardèche and Haute-Loire.
Mezia offers homemade ice cream at the Halles du Puy-en-Velay, on the ascent to the Cathedral at 24 rue des Tables, and recently in Polignac. This company, founded in June 2022, was started by five friends from Haute-Loire, Ardèche, and Isère, including Rémi Montagne, world ice cream champion, master pastry chef, and chocolatier.
Were you a world ice champion?
Rémi Montagne: Yes. It was quite an experience professionally, because it required a concentrated amount of work over a short period. It was also challenging on a personal level, especially when you're managing an entire team and have to consider your family life.
why the name Mezia?
We wanted to find a name that was short and had impact. Something that is locally anchored. We looked for a word in patois, and since we started in Ardèche where we source a lot of fruit, we chose Mezia in a nod to Mézenc, because we have a foot in both departments . Mézenc is the link between the two! So, there is Mez for Mézenc and ia which is a bit of a dialect. And then my daughter is called Lizia!
Did this make you want to create Mezia with your partners?
It’s the result of a meeting with friends, a bit by chance. I wanted to settle in the Puy-en-Velay area, in the world of ice cream and chocolates. They also had the idea of creating an ice cream shop, of launching into this world and that of chocolate. We met very quickly and the adventure started rather quickly. We didn't all know each other at first. There are some who come from Haute-Loire, Ardèche and Isère.
What types of ice cream do you make?
These are ice creams made with organic milk from Saint Eugénie de Villeneuve, near Fix (43230). It comes from GEAC DU PCHE. We use Gerentes products for cream and butter. We favor good ingredients and we favor short circuits. This is one of our 5 selection criteria.
For our sorbets, we source strawberries and raspberries from Tence and GAEC DE LA SOUCHE and we work with GIE Fruits Rouges du Velay. We get our peaches and apricots from Aubenas, in Ardèche. Our melons come from Vallon Pont d’Arc. We don't have sugar here, but we use the one made in France.
DAre the ice creams a nod to the region?
Yes, we offer a verbena sorbet which is very successful! We also have chestnut ice cream which gives a nod to Ardèche. It is one of the best sellers, behind vanilla of course.
A word about chocolates?
In our range of chocolates, there are what we call bibilles, which are in fact chocolate pearls. These are almonds, hazelnuts or small biscuits coated with chocolate, in a sort of concrete mixer. This is the principle of M&M'S in an artisanal version. We have very delicious chocolate bars. There are 7 references in total. There is one, for example, with caramel and peanuts and one with cookies. In fact, we try to offer our best sellers in tablets and ice creams.
Where can we get your specialties?
By coming to see us at the Halles du Puy-en-Velay or in Montée de la Cathédrale at 24 rue des Tables or even in Polignac, where we recently opened a store. We made this decision because we had the opportunity to do it at the beginning of the year and we were very well received.
It's crazy when you come to work here in the morning. It’s even more of a treat when you deliver to Puy-en-Velay. It’s a village that has always attracted us. It should be remembered that it is one of the most beautiful villages in France which attracts many tourists.
Convenient :
Mézia Glacier
Halles Ponotes and 24 rue des Tables – 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay
www.mezia-gourmandises.fr
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