Welcome to the Exquisite Delight of Kreyol Paradise!
Get ready for an adventure! Elevate your taste buds to new heights. Quench your thirst for the extraordinary and embark on a journey of unparalleled taste. Mrs. French’s AK-100 (Acassan) drink is a beloved Haitian treat. It features the sweet flavors of vanilla mixed with milk and cinnamon. This drink is an ideal accompaniment to Caribbean or Latin meals. It has just a hint of a spicy kick that’s complemented well by the creamy milk. You can serve it cold or warm. This drink is also a suitable replacement for horchata in any recipes that calls for it.
Experience the great taste of our AK-100 (Acassan)
French’s Exotic Drinks Inc, was established in New York in 1974 by Mrs. Jacqueline French. Jacqueline was born in Port Au Prince, Haiti to parents, Adalbert Victor, and Anne Rey. Both of her parents were pioneers in their home country of Haiti. Adalbert was a basket weaver and Anne was a local business owner. In 1963 Jacqueline immigrated to the United States. Following in the steps of her parents, in 1972 Jacqueline started her own business to supplement her income to aid in the support of her son Reynald French, special education. Her son was born with cerebral palsy. One day after a doctor’s appointment for her son, Jacqueline thought of a product that is native to her island of Haiti, that many people drink every day. It was not costly yet provided many nutrients to a population of people who had limited income.
It’s not just a beverage, it’s an experience
With this thought in mind, and the support and collaboration of her husband, Guy French, her lifelong journey would be born to be an entrepreneur with the launch of Acassan or AK-100. Translated to the English language, Acassan is AK-100. In the Haitian tradition, Acassan is consumed as a meal with perhaps a side of pastry or bread with peanut butter. Jacqueline would start making AK-100 in her kitchen home in Cambria Heights, NY, with the help of the Haitian community, and a small sum of starting capital, Jacqueline was able to expand her operation from home deliveries to selling the Acassan in retail stores. Before she knew it, the demand for Acassan exceeded her production capabilities and she quickly outgrew her small store front and manufacturing area. In 1974, Jacqueline applied for and received a Small Business Loan.
Come see why Haitians the world over enjoy AK-100 (Acassan)
The loan enabled her to move the manufacturing portion of the business to a larger facility of 1500 square foot. In 1976 sales had grown so much that she needed more square footage for manufacturing at which point she relocated to Long Island City, New York where she rented a building of 8000 square feet. By 1982, sales from the business had grown to approximately $1,000,000.00. At the height of production, Jacqueline employed more than 25 employees and had a fleet of 6 trucks setting off on deliveries daily throughout the 5 boroughs of New York. By 1995 Jacqueline moved away from manufacturing herself. Acassan, AK-100 was private labeled in Batavia, New York until 2016. In 2004, Jacqueline would move from New York to Florida to put her energies to expanding wholesale distribution. Acassan, AK-100 is now private labeled in Kingston, Jamaica.
WHERE TO FIND OUR PRODUCTS
Amazon – price may vary based on location
Iberia Foods – FL
Quiskeya – New Jersey, Georgia, Indiana, Bahamas, Turk and Caicos and French Guyana
Kalifood – St. Martin (call for contact)
Acassan, AK-100 is sold throughout the continental United States, Haiti, St. Martin, the Bahamas, Turk and Caicos, French Guyana and Canada.