History
Nougats in different forms have existed in the Mediterranean region since Roman times. Turrón is definitely known since at least the 15th century in the city of Jijona (formerly Sexona, or Xixona in Valencian), north of Alicante. Turrón is now commonly consumed in most of Spain, some countries of Latin America, and in Roussillon (France). The similar Torrone is typical of Bagnara, Taurianova and Cremona in Italy. There are similar confections made in the Philippines, a notable example being Turones de Pili, made using the native Pili nut.
The Moros y Christianos festival in Alicante Rivers of ink have been written about the origin of the turron, we would like to share with you this version which we think is the most romantic.
Originally named “terro” or “torro,” the origins of Turron can be traced back to the 11th century. Back then the Moor’s ruled Alicante, and their king was the emir Ali. Ali embraced the cultures of the world, and soon fell in love and was married to a Scandinavian princess named Ilda. Ilda loved Ali, but her melancholy heart longed for snow and climate that she grew up in.
The following Spring, the almond trees burst into bloom and the entire landscape was showered with petals from the white blooms. For that moment, even if just for an instance, Ilda felt at ease as the falling petals
reminded her of the first snow. Seeing the joy in his wife’s eyes, the emir made it his mission to have the almond trees bloom all year long. The emir looked throughout his kingdom, and the solution was found in an unlikely source. A small bakery in Jijona, the birthplace of turron, had the idea to create a sweet confection made with the fruits of the almond tree. By crafting a sweet confection that could be enjoyed during the whole year, even Ilda could enjoy the pleasures of the spring blooms all year long.
Because Turron was meant to remind us of the pleasures of the first blooms in spring, over time it came to be enjoyed as a winter tradition, when we needed to be reminded of Spring the most. In the 15th century, Turron became so popular that it was commonly referred to as dulce espanol (Spanish sweet). Today, the Holiday Season is not complete without sharing this delicacy with all your friends and family.
Nougats in different forms have existed in the Mediterranean region since Roman times. Turrón is definitely known since at least the 15th century in the city of Jijona (formerly Sexona, or Xixona in Valencian), north of Alicante. Turrón is now commonly consumed in most of Spain, some countries of Latin America, and in Roussillon (France). The similar Torrone is typical of Bagnara, Taurianova and Cremona in Italy. There are similar confections made in the Philippines, a notable example being Turones de Pili, made using the native Pili nut.
The Moros y Christianos festival in Alicante Rivers of ink have been written about the origin of the turron, we would like to share with you this version which we think is the most romantic.
Originally named “terro” or “torro,” the origins of Turron can be traced back to the 11th century. Back then the Moor’s ruled Alicante, and their king was the emir Ali. Ali embraced the cultures of the world, and soon fell in love and was married to a Scandinavian princess named Ilda. Ilda loved Ali, but her melancholy heart longed for snow and climate that she grew up in.The following Spring, the almond trees burst into bloom and the entire landscape was showered with petals from the white blooms. For that moment, even if just for an instance, Ilda felt at ease as the falling petals
reminded her of the first snow. Seeing the joy in his wife’s eyes, the emir made it his mission to have the almond trees bloom all year long. The emir looked throughout his kingdom, and the solution was found in an unlikely source. A small bakery in Jijona, the birthplace of turron, had the idea to create a sweet confection made with the fruits of the almond tree. By crafting a sweet confection that could be enjoyed during the whole year, even Ilda could enjoy the pleasures of the spring blooms all year long.Because Turron was meant to remind us of the pleasures of the first blooms in spring, over time it came to be enjoyed as a winter tradition, when we needed to be reminded of Spring the most. In the 15th century, Turron became so popular that it was commonly referred to as dulce espanol (Spanish sweet). Today, the Holiday Season is not complete without sharing this delicacy with all your friends and family.
