What to Know About the Jordan Almonds Wedding Tradition (2024)

It’s not uncommon to see small white candies on dessert tables, especially at a wedding. But what exactly are these little treats? They’re none other than Jordan Almonds, and it turns out, they're more than a delicious snack.

"Jordan Almonds are almonds covered in a sweet, candy coating," explains Marisa Battaglia, owner of B Sweet Designs. "They come in a variety of colors, but white tends to be the most popular." These candies are incorporated into a couple’s wedding day for a variety of reasons, and they can be displayed or handed out in so many ways. Ahead, Battaglia and pastry chef Erin Emmett explain the history of these sweet treats and offer unique ways to serve them at your wedding.

Meet the Expert

  • Marisa Battaglia is the owner of B Sweet Designs, a company devoted to creating custom dessert tables for weddings and special events.
  • Erin Emmett is a pastry chef and the owner of Pistachio Culinary Studio and Experiences, a dessert experience company based in Brooklyn, New York.

The History and Meaning Behind Jordan Almonds

While it is possible to simply treat Jordan Almonds as a pretty candy to add to a dessert table, they do hold meaning for some couples, too. These dainty candies date back to 1350, with literary references during that time.

"For many of our clients who want to honor their heritage, we see it most with Greek or Italian cultures, Jordan Almonds seem to be rooted in tradition," says Battaglia. "We’ve heard many reasons to incorporate these little treats into a couple’s special day, but ultimately they are symbolic of well wishes as the couple and their families celebrate the beginning of their new life together." As a Greek tradition, Jordan Almonds may also be referred to as Koufeta.

Emmett also notes that the candy coating around the raw almond symbolizes sweetening the sometimes bitterness of life, as well as sending hopes and wishes of a sweet future. "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.

As for the shape? Emmett notes the ovular shape of the almond can represent fertility as well. Overall, it’s all about offering a small symbol to usher in a bright, happy future for the couple.

10 Ways to Serve and Display Jordan Almonds

Curious how to best fit Jordan Almonds into your celebration? Read on for 10 sweet ways to incorporate these meaningful treats into your wedding day.

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Incorporate Into a Table Setting

What to Know About the Jordan Almonds Wedding Tradition (1)

Welcome guests to your reception dinner with this meaningful treat. Package Jordan Almonds in a cute box or bag and put them at each place setting. Add a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme to dress them up, and pair it with a little note explaining their meaning.

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On a Dessert Table

Incorporating Jordan Almonds into the list of treats on a dessert table or candy bar is a natural fit. Use glass containers to add a pop of white to your table’s overall color palette. "Another more contemporary way might be in 2-by-2-inch acrylic boxes that can be customized with personalized labels, which can also be displayed on the dessert table," offers Battaglia.

18 Sweet Candy Bar Ideas for Every Wedding Style

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In an Apothecary Jar

The shape of a glass apothecary jar provides a beautiful way to show off Jordan Almonds. Consider filling a jar for a dessert table, or let it stand on its own on a separate table. Emmett suggests setting up a small table with the jars, along with a scoop and paper cones. "A simple sign could be placed next to the jars explaining thetradition and why it is special," she says. "This allows an interactive element for the guests, as well as a learning moment to understand that it is not just a quick ceremony snack."

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With a Welcome Bag

What to Know About the Jordan Almonds Wedding Tradition (2)

Why not kick off your wedding celebration with well wishes from the start? Package Jordan Almonds in a charming way, and put them in a wedding welcome bag with other treats and helpful add-ins.

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Make Trail Mix

If your wedding weekend takes place in the great outdoors, make a wedding trail mix to fuel your guests! Emmett suggests putting together a small, chic bag using raw almonds, high-quality white chocolate chips, dried cherries, and other favorite nuts or dried fruits. You can add actual Jordan Almonds into the mix or let the raw almonds and white chocolate chips serve as a meaningful treat in their place.

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On a Cake

If you really love the look of Jordan Almonds, ask your baker to feature them on your wedding cake. They can be used to create a border around each tier or simply paired with blooms and dotted throughout. To incorporate them even further, opt for an almond-flavored cake.

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As a Wedding Favor

This is another classic way to feature Jordan Almonds. Wrap them up in a beautiful way and put together a display of favors for your guests. Put a small sign on the favor table to note the symbolism of this takeaway treat.

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Feature the Flavor

What to Know About the Jordan Almonds Wedding Tradition (3)

Not a fan of the look of Jordan Almonds, but love the symbolism? Incorporate the flavor in a different way! "If you want to continue the tradition in an untraditional way, I suggest a Jordan Almond macaron favor," says Emmett.

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Show Them Off

Whether you choose to leave Jordan Almonds at place settings or on ceremony seats, be sure to show them off in clear packaging. "The shape and white color of the almonds are so pretty, so I really recommend choosing packaging that reveals the almonds," says Emmett. Consider clear plastic bags tied with a ribbon, or small paper boxes with a see-through window on top.

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With a Note

However you choose to package, present, or gift Jordan Almonds, be sure to include a small note or sign. This will let guests know just what they’re for. The Jordan Almond poem is sure to do the trick: "Five sugared almonds for each guest to eat, To remind us that life is both bitter and sweet. Five wishes for the new [couple]: Health, wealth, happiness, children, and a long life!"

What to Know About the Jordan Almonds Wedding Tradition (2024)

FAQs

What to Know About the Jordan Almonds Wedding Tradition? ›

Jordan almonds are given out at weddings all over the world and have been for years. The bitterness of the almonds themselves represents the trials and tribulations of life, while the sugar coating represents the hope that the married couple will embark on their new life together with sweetness.

What is the Jordan almond wedding tradition? ›

In Greece, where Jordan almonds are known as “koufeta,” tradition suggests that when a female guest places the packet of almonds under her pillow she will dream about the man she will marry. In Middle Eastern countries, Jordan almonds are considered an aphrodisiac.

How many Jordan almonds do you put in a wedding favor? ›

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. This uneven number also represents the undivided couple.

What do the colors of Jordan almonds mean? ›

Because this candy comes in all sorts of colors, in some traditions, their color represents different meanings. For example, you will often see white Jordan almonds at weddings, green candies at engagement parties and red candies to celebrate graduations.

What is the tradition of sugared almonds at weddings? ›

Sugared almonds originated in Italy. They are given to guests at Italian weddings, and are usually wrapped in matching tulle tied with a ribbon. The five sugar coated almonds represent health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and long life. Sugared almonds are also very common in Greek weddings.

What's the deal with Jordan almonds? ›

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.

How long do Jordan almonds last? ›

A: Jordan almonds can last for over a year if stored properly.

What is the etiquette for wedding favors? ›

If you are giving one favor per guest, present each gift at each place setting or as part of the table centerpiece. If you decide to give each couple a favor, label the wedding favors with the couple's or family's name and place them on a table so that guests can pick them up upon entering the reception.

Why are there 5 almonds in wedding favours? ›

The actual significance of there being five almonds is that the number five is indivisible which symbolises a strong bond or union between the newlywed couple that will never be broken or divided.

How to make Jordan almond flower wedding favors? ›

It is easy to make Italian ribbon flowers with these special pocketed fabrics. Just cut a length of the ribbon from the spool, insert Jordan almonds or chocolate confetti candy between the fabric, and then pull the tension strings sewn into the lip of the ribbon.

What is the outside of a Jordan almond? ›

Jordan almonds are pastel-colored, candy coated almonds. They differ from candied or sugared almonds in that the coating of the Jordan almond is a complete candy husk that forms around the almond, whereas candied almonds are merely coated with sugar and the almond is still very evident.

Are Jordan almonds hard? ›

PASTEL JORDAN ALMONDS: Indulge in the delightful crunch and sweet taste of this hard almond candy.

Are Jordan almonds Middle Eastern? ›

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!

How many Jordan almonds for wedding guests? ›

The Jordan Almond poem is sure to do the trick: "Five sugared almonds for each guest to eat, To remind us that life is both bitter and sweet. Five wishes for the new [couple]: Health, wealth, happiness, children, and a long life!"

Why do Italians give Jordan almonds at weddings? ›

In Italian culture, Jordan almonds are called confetti. They have been given away at Italian weddings since the 14th century. You'll usually find five of the candied almonds wrapped in tulle bundles to represent five blessings for the couple: health, wealth, fertility, happiness, and longevity.

Why do grooms shove cake in brides face? ›

The wedding cake smash tradition originated in Ancient Rome. After tying the knot, brides would have barley cake crumbled over their heads, which signified male dominance and the promise of fertility.

What is the wedding tradition in Jordan? ›

Waleema is one of the most important traditions of the marriage in Jordan. It's a meal served by the groom's family to the guests of the two families, relatives and neighbors. In the past, celebrating marriage in Jordan lasted for 30 days, and every day food was served. Now, it may last for a day or few days.

What is the shoe tradition at weddings? ›

[the shoe] is the symbol of authority, and is given to or thrown after the bridegroom when he takes the bride from her home, signifying that he is to have dominion over her'. This links in with the custom of the father-of-the-bride presenting a shoe to the groom, marking the transference of power over the bride.

What is the meaning of confetti almonds at a wedding? ›

Confetti in Italian means “candied”. For a wedding, specifically, it refers to sugar-coated almonds. This has a special meaning at a wedding. The almond symbolizes the bitter-sweetness of marriage and the beginning of a new life. Pack these almonds prettily into Bomboniere: also a special tradition.

Why do we put almonds in wedding favors? ›

Health, wealth, happiness, children, and a long life! As such, the almonds are considered a symbol of good luck, and the tradition of gifting them as wedding favours spread across Europe. In gifting them to their guests, it is thought that the couple are sharing their luck and happiness with them.

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