» History Of Marzipan (2024)

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» History Of Marzipan? ›

Although it is believed to have originated in Persia (present-day Iran) and to have been introduced to Europe through the Turks, there is some dispute between Hungary and Italy over its origin. Marzipan became a specialty of the Baltic Sea region of Germany.

The invention of marzipan is usually attributed to Lübeck, Germany. Legend has it that during a 15th century famine when flour for making bread became scarce, the senate of Lübeck ordered bakers to create a replacement. Using eggs, sugar, and stores of almonds, the clever bakers came up with marzipan.

The glory of marzipan is because it holds a shape easily, you can cut out or mold your own figures to decorate holiday pastries. It's also used as a kind of heavy-duty frosting for Christmas cakes because it helps long-keeping cakes (like fruitcakes) retain their moisture instead of going stale.

In Russia, marzipan is known from the fairy tales of Andersen, Hoffmann, the Brothers Grimm, where it symbolizes children's happiness and magic. Under the "tsarist regime" marzipan was produced for more than a hundred years. Only very wealthy people could afford a rare gourmet delicacy.

Southern Europe. In Spain, marzipan is a traditional Christmas dessert (mazapán), although in Toledo, where the first written reference of this product dates back to 1512, it is eaten all year round.

The best quality marzipan contains less sugar in the raw mix. Good marzipan contains minerals such calcium, potassium and magnesium and is also rich in vitamin B and polyunsaturated fatty acids. On the downside, marzipan is high in fat and in sugar.

Lübecker Marzipan from Lübeck, Germany

The quality requirements of Lübecker Almond Paste Marzipan are set higher than those of conventional almond paste marzipan and are regulated by the RAL German Institute for Quality Assurance and Classification.

Before marzipan managed to acquire its reputation in Lübeck as a sweet, it was traded exclusively in chemist shops – as a medicinal drug. As early as the year 900, the Persian doctor Rhazes mentioned it in Arab medical texts. Its beneficial effects were mentioned in medieval cookbooks.

das Marzipan. (Translation of marzipan from the PASSWORD English–German Dictionary © 2014 K Dictionaries Ltd)

Almond paste has twice the amount of almonds in it compared to marzipan, making it coarser in texture and less sweet than its counterpart. Their consistency also differs as marzipan is smooth and pliable, almost clay-like, while almond paste is somewhat gritty and spreadable, almost like a cookie dough.

What is the difference between marzipan and mazapan? ›

Mazapán Mexican candy is a cousin of Marzipan, which is made with almonds and sugar. Marzipan originates in Asia and the Middle East. Mazapán is distinctly Mexican in that it replaces the almonds with peanuts, which are of Latin American origin. We add corn, which is, of course, native to Mexico.

Marzipan is an essential ingredient found throughout baking in Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. It's even made its way to many candy shops throughout the United States.

Certain cities and regions throughout Europe claim marzipan as a specialty: Spain's Toledo (where it has protected designation of origin status), Portugal's Algarve, Italy's Palermo and Germany's Lübeck.

A small city in northern Germany is the capital of marzipan. In Lübeck, the sweet treat is part of the city's long history. DW looks into this success story and tries to uncover some of its secrets.

Mazapán Mexican candy is a cousin of Marzipan, which is made with almonds and sugar. Marzipan originates in Asia and the Middle East.

However, marzipan isn't especially popular in North America. It's not that we don't like it—because unless you have a nut allergy, who wouldn't like marzipan? —it's just that we don't eat it much. Often, we just sell it as an ingredient called “almond paste,” which strikes me as functional and lacking in romance.