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The history of sugared almonds has very ancient origins. In Roman times there are the first reports saying that this specialty was used to celebrate births and marriages. Sugar had not been imported yet, therefore honey was used to mix the flour used to wrap the almonds. Others attribute the invention of sugared almonds to a physician of Arabic origin, Al Razi, who used them with a therapeutic aim: the bitter medicinal preparation was covered by a sweet shell to make it more pleasant, mainly for children.

Whatever the origin, nowadays typical sugared almonds are made up of an inner nucleus, named soul, a whole unshelled and peeled almond of the ‘Pizzuta di Avola’ variety covered by layers of sugar. The sugared almond has the same shape of the nut. The external surface is straight and white with porcelain hues. The size and weight of the sugared almond vary according to the calibre of the almond. The soul of the sugared almond can also be made up of other ingredients (hazelnut, cinnamon, chocolate, candied fruit, pistachio, nuts covered in layers of sugar or chocolate). In this cases, the shape and size of the sugared almonds change according to the soul. Machines called ‘bassine’ are used to obtain the sugar coating. They are made up of a boiler, preferably of copper or steel, rotating continuously.

The processing of sugared almonds in Sulmona dates back to 1400 aC and is considered the oldest in Italy.

Other than in bulk, sugared almonds have always been sold in various artistic shapes, like grapes, ears and flowers: this tradition is still alive, for instance in Sorrento (Campania).

Another more recent curiosity is the outer colour; each colour correspond to a particular ceremony or event; one might say that sugared almond accompany man from birth till old age.

Sugared almonds for weddings, First Communion and Confirmation are white; pink or light blue for Christening; green for engagements. They are usually red to celebrate graduation and multicoloured for birthdays.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)