A dragée ( , , ; ) is a bite-sized piece of confectionery with a hard outer shell, which can be made of sugar, chocolate, or other ingredients. Dragées come in various shapes and sizes and are often used for decorative purposes, particularly in pastries and desserts. They are also popular as a type of candy, with the coating providing a sweet or flavorful contrast to the center.

Historically, dragées were sometimes made with medicinal ingredients, but today they are primarily enjoyed as a sweet treat. The term dragée is also used to refer to sugar-coated almonds, traditionally given as favors at weddings and other celebrations in many cultures.

Use

Jordan almonds

thumb|Classic Jordan almonds

thumb|left|Spinner (turbine) used to apply sugar to the candies

In their most classic form of dragée and comfit, Jordan almonds, also known as koufeta, consist of almonds which are sugar-panned in various pastel colors.

Jordan almonds are often offered as wedding favors contained in bonbonnieres—with the "bitter" almonds and "sweet" sugar symbolizing the bitterness of life and sweetness of love. The treats are often packaged in groups of five to represent happiness, health, longevity, wealth, and fertility. At European weddings, the almonds are placed in groups of five—an odd number that is indivisible—to symbolize the unity of husband and wife. In the Middle East, Jordan almonds are considered an aphrodisiac so there are always plenty on hand for the newlyweds and their guests. However, others suggest the term referred to a variety of almonds originally grown along the Jordan River characterized by long, thin, slender, rather smooth kernels in thick, heavy shells.

Jordan almonds are thought to be derived from the honey-covered almonds consumed in ancient Rome. According to an unverified legend, a Roman confectioner named Julius Dragatus served honey-covered almonds called dragati at weddings and births. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers the silver and gold metallic-finish sugar dragées to be inedible, and they may be sold only when accompanied with a notice that they are to be used for decorative purposes only.

See also

  • Confetti di Sulmona
  • Candied almonds
  • List of almond dishes
  • Sprinkles
  • Sugar plum
  • Suikerboon
  • Sugar candy

Notes

References

Sources

  • Dictionnaire de Français Larousse (1996).
  • Richardson, Tim (2002), Sweets: A History of Candy, Bloomsbury.