Products that come from Louisiana are desirable all over the world because they have a special personality. Louisianans live to eat, so it is no surprise that the majority of products made here for export are food related. Our products are found in grocery stores and specialty markets all around the country and the world, including beer, tea, coffee, rice, hundreds of spice blends and condiments—even potato chips.

There are some products, however, that may never leave the borders of Lake Pontchartrain, the Mississippi River, the Gulf of Mexico and…Metairie. Here are a few true New Orleans originals that you can only experience in the Big Easy.

Local and visiting revelers alike know that their Mardi Gras experience isn’t complete without indulging in at least one piece of New Orleans’ famous dessert, the king cake. This delicious combination of flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and cinnamon was introduced to the city in the 19^th century, and takes its name from the three kings who visited the Christ child on Epiphany.

Local baking dynasties such as Haydel, Gambino, and Randazzo have royal status because of their original recipes and variations, such as pecan praline, cream cheese, and German chocolate.

All first-time king cake feasters beware; you may hear the person next to you exclaim, “I got the baby!” In every cake, a plastic baby about the size of your thumbnail is baked in. If the piece you’re given yields this surprise, you are responsible for providing the next king cake. When the time comes, don’t worry if your plans prevent you from getting to New Orleans. All of the above mentioned bakeries ship their confections nationally to accommodate out of town Mardi Gras celebrations.

Yvonne LaFleur continues the elegant tradition of custom millinery in New Orleans, claiming an age-old art that few in America practice today. Using silk ribbons from Switzerland, antique feathers from Germany, and flowers from France, her designs offer French Quarter strollers an opportunity to accessorize with beauty and a touch of je ne sais quoi.

Since 1969, her boutique has thrived. She has expanded her creations to include a line of fragrances - body lotion, powder, soap, and spray eau de parfum. Shoppers will also discover jewelry, shoes, silk stockings and dresses, sportswear, suedes, one-of-a-kind evening gowns, and exclusive wedding gowns.

The world has been witness to her designs in the movies Pretty Baby and The Great Gatsby. Customers from America and abroad continue to pass through her doors, leaving with a unique purchase to remind them of the grace of New Orleans.

Internationally acclaimed jeweler and New Orleans native Mignon Faget draws inspiration from the natural world and New Orleans culture, giving her designs instant recognition among jewelry enthusiasts.

Her stores’ windows boast lilies, poppies, shells, and acorns; red beans, crowns, oysters, and streetcars shaped with gold and silver into rings, bracelets, pendants, belt buckles, and just about any other accessory you can imagine.

While she is best known for her jewelry, Mignon also offers a line of glassware and baby gifts with local flair.

Browse her steady offering of new collections online, or visit one of her three New Orleans locations conveniently located in the French Quarter at Canal Place, Uptown on Magazine Street, or on your way into the Big Easy at Lakeside Mall.

Visit www.neworleanscvb.com/cultural for more true New Orleans treasures.