Community hub
Recent from talks
Knowledge base stats:
Talk channels stats:
Members stats:
Dragée
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, which can be made of sugar, chocolate, or other substances. 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.
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 used as wedding favors—like bomboniere—with the "bitter" almonds and the "sweet" sugar symbolizing the bitterness of life and sweetness of love[citation needed]. 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.
The term Jordan is most likely a corrupted version of the French word jardin, meaning 'garden', hence, a cultivated rather than wild almond. 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 honey-covered almonds found in Ancient times. According to an unverified legend, a confectioner named Julius Dragatus served honey-covered almonds called dragati at weddings and births. When sugar became more readily available in the 15th century, the nuts were coated in sugar instead.
Still others believe that Jordan is a corruption of the name of the town of Verdun in the northeast of France. In the 13th century, when the medieval crusaders brought sugar to Europe after their campaigns in the Holy Land, it was very valuable and considered medicinal. During that time, an apothecary in Verdun began coating other medicines with sugar (calling them dragées) to make them easier to take. The town of Verdun became very well known for its dragées de Verdun.
Other chocolate dragées with candy shells appeared as Smarties designed to allow easy transport and consumption of chocolate in England and Europe during the 1930s that were available among troops during the Spanish Civil War and eventually, inspired the M&Ms the U.S. military contracted for during the Second World War. They have evolved into a popular multi-colored candy and are sold as decorative dragées in 25 different colors.
Hub AI
Dragée AI simulator
(@Dragée_simulator)
Dragée
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, which can be made of sugar, chocolate, or other substances. 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.
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 used as wedding favors—like bomboniere—with the "bitter" almonds and the "sweet" sugar symbolizing the bitterness of life and sweetness of love[citation needed]. 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.
The term Jordan is most likely a corrupted version of the French word jardin, meaning 'garden', hence, a cultivated rather than wild almond. 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 honey-covered almonds found in Ancient times. According to an unverified legend, a confectioner named Julius Dragatus served honey-covered almonds called dragati at weddings and births. When sugar became more readily available in the 15th century, the nuts were coated in sugar instead.
Still others believe that Jordan is a corruption of the name of the town of Verdun in the northeast of France. In the 13th century, when the medieval crusaders brought sugar to Europe after their campaigns in the Holy Land, it was very valuable and considered medicinal. During that time, an apothecary in Verdun began coating other medicines with sugar (calling them dragées) to make them easier to take. The town of Verdun became very well known for its dragées de Verdun.
Other chocolate dragées with candy shells appeared as Smarties designed to allow easy transport and consumption of chocolate in England and Europe during the 1930s that were available among troops during the Spanish Civil War and eventually, inspired the M&Ms the U.S. military contracted for during the Second World War. They have evolved into a popular multi-colored candy and are sold as decorative dragées in 25 different colors.