A very good friend of ours recently traveled to Jordan. He brought back a big bag filled with wonderful candies for us to try. Most of the candies are new to us but one is instantly familiar. It is the ubiquitous Jordan almond.
Jordan almonds brought to us from Jordan. Is Jordan really where the sugar-coated almond got its start? Why is the Jordan almond a worldwide favorite at weddings? We had never given them much thought before but now we had so many questions. At Candy Atlas, we live for candy history and are delighted to have learned many surprising new things!
Since the almond is native to the Middle East, it is easy to assume that the confection we commonly call the Jordan almond originated in Jordan or, at least, the Middle East. However, candy historians generally agree that the Jordan almond is not a Jordanian confection but that the name is either a corrupted version of a French word or it is a reference to a variety of almond that first grew along the Jordan River.
Some believe that “Jordan” is a corruption of the name of the town of Verdun in the northeast of France. You see, what we call a Jordan almond is a type of confection called a dragée— which means a sugarcoated nut, candy, or pill — and the method of coating almonds with sugar was developed in Verdun in the early 13th century. How did a confectioner get the idea to do this? Two points of inspiration: First, honey-coated almonds and seeds were introduced in 177 B.C. by a Roman baker and confectioner named Julius Dragatus. His confections were called dragati and were served by the nobility at weddings and births. Second, when the medieval crusaders brought sugar to Europe after their campaigns in the Holy Land, it was very valuable and considered medicinal. It was also the only alternative to using honey as a sweetener. During that time, an apothecary began coating other medicines with sugar (calling them dragées) to make them easier to take. Guess where that chemist lived? That’s right, Verdun. The town of Verdun became very well known for its dragéesde Verdun.
Others point out that“jordan” was the Middle English pronunciation of the sharedFrench and Spanish word “jardin”. “Jardin” means “garden” in both languages. Did you know that wild almonds are toxic to humans and they have a bitter taste but cultivated almonds are as good for us as they are delicious? Well, somehow somebody way back in history figured out a way to domesticate almonds for human consumption. Eventually, the almonds were grown in gardens and became very popular and easy to grow in certain regions of France and Spain. For a very long time, some of the finest almonds in the world have been cultivated in each of these countries, and these prized nuts were called garden almonds to differentiate them from the wild varieties. Now, of course, Jordan almonds are made with nuts grown all over the world. We learned that the almonds in our bag were grown in Spain but roasted and panned in Jordan.
So, why is it that what we now call Jordan almonds are the default wedding favor? Although Jordan almonds at American weddings seems to be a long-lived fad, these sweet treats have a rich history of symbolism around the world. Italians have served the sugar-coated nuts as “confetti” at weddings for over 500 years. This is after serving honey-coated nuts for thousands of years! The Italians present the nuts in groups of five to symbolize five wishes for the bride and groom: health, wealth, fertility, happiness, and longevity. In the Middle East, Jordan almonds are considered an aphrodisiac so there are always plenty on hand for the newlyweds and their guests. Like at the Italian weddings, Greek brides place the almonds in groups of five, an odd number that is indivisible to symbolize the unity of husband and wife. Across many cultures, the bitterness of the almond covered by the sweetness of the sugar is a reminder that life is both bitter and sweet.
We may never know why these dragéesare called Jordan almonds. For now, we’re content to enjoy the delicious mystery.
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FAQs
The traditional bomboniere includes five Jordan almonds, which symbolize health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and a long life. Jordan almonds are thought to be a fertility symbol due to their egg shape. They are also thought to represent the bittersweet nature of life considering the almond's bittersweet flavor.
Why do Italians give Jordan almonds at weddings? ›
"Italians traditionally package these candied almonds in bunches of five to represent wishes of health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity," she says. For some, the five almonds also symbolize a number that can't be divided into two, just like the bond formed by a newly married couple.
What do the five almonds represent? ›
The perfect wedding bomboniere, which is Italian for wedding favor, includes five Jordan almonds to represent five wishes for the bride and groom. These are health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and a long life.
What is the meaning of Jordan almonds at Greek weddings? ›
When celebrating Greek weddings, Jordan almonds are called koufeta. They are given as favors only in odd numbers. The odd numbers are to symbolize that the newlyweds will share everything and remain united.
Can you eat too many Jordan almonds? ›
However, eating too many almonds can actually cause constipation and abdominal bloating if your body is not used to processing large amounts of fiber. If you consume a lot of almonds, drink water along with them to help your body handle the fiber intake.
Do Jordan almonds go bad? ›
A: Jordan almonds can last for over a year if stored properly.
How many Jordan almonds do you put in a wedding favor? ›
The most common number of Jordan almonds given to guests at weddings is five. This is because five is an odd number and each of the Jordan almonds stands for something that guests wish for the couple. These five things are: happiness, health, fertility, longevity, and wealth.
What is another name for Jordan almonds? ›
Sugar almonds, "Jordan almonds," and trajes are all names for these sweets. "Confetti" is the common name for colored paper towels. In French and English, it is called "confetti," and in Italian, it is called "coriander."
What is the coating on Jordan almonds? ›
You see, what we call a Jordan almond is a type of confection called a dragée — which means a sugarcoated nut, candy, or pill — and the method of coating almonds with sugar was developed in Verdun in the early 13th century.
How many Jordan almonds are in 1 pound? ›
1 pound bag. Approx. 113 pcs. Add these chic treats to your dessert display or pop them in small bags to create the ultimate in easy party goodies.
(Jeremiah 1:13-14) While the almond is a sign of hope that God will eventually fulfill His wonderful promises to Israel (or to us), the context is more ominous. Later, God repeated the warning through Jeremiah: “Behold, I will watch (shaked) over them for evil, and not for good…” (Jeremiah 44:27).
What do sugared almonds mean at a wedding? ›
If you want to be faithful to wedding traditions, the sugared almond wedding favours for each of the guests must contain five almonds representing each of the couple's wishes: love, health, happiness, fertility, and long life together.
What is the story behind Jordan almonds? ›
The History of Jordan Almonds
Some historians believe the candy's name is a distorted version of the French word "jardin," which means garden. Others claim Jordan almonds got their name because they resembled a type of almond that grows near the Jordan River. Many literary documents trace the candy's origin to 1350.
What are Jordan almonds called in France? ›
A dragée (/dræˈʒeɪ/ drazh-AY, UK also /ˈdrɑːʒeɪ/ DRAH-zhay, US also /drɑːˈʒeɪ/ drah-ZHAY, French: [dʁaʒe]) is a bite-sized confectionery with a hard outer shell.
Do people eat Jordan almonds? ›
The most likely venues for heaping bowls of Jordan almonds are celebrations hosted by Southern European and Middle Eastern families. These specific kinds of candy-coated nuts originate from that corner of the world, and it's been documented that ancient Romans used to enjoy them on festive occasions!
Why are the Jordan shoes so special? ›
Quality and Durability. One of the hallmarks of Air Jordan shoes are the fact that Jordans are known for their high-quality construction and materials, even compared to other Nike products. The sneakers are designed to be durable and comfortable, making them a popular choice for those who know their sneakers.
What is the coating on Jordan almonds made of? ›
Jordan Almonds - Sugar-Coated Almonds.
Who originally made Jordan almonds? ›
This post is by no means an exhaustive explanation of the history or symbolism of this candy. But you'll find some interesting tidbits for fun wedding party banter! Many historians attribute the origin of the candy to around 177 BC when confectioner Julius Dragatus began coating almonds in honey.
