Sicilian Marzipan Story

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea belonging to Italy. Sicily has been known for its healthy diet, because of using fresh vegetables and fruits and of course for some sweets including traditional Sicilian fruit-shaped marzipan.

According to the legend, a wealthy Italian woman commissioned a convent to be billed in Sicily. The nuns, who later lived there were so grateful and wanted to make something special for community. Using their creativity, they mixed chopped almonds with dough and shaped small pieces of dough into animals and fruits. They got even more creative with painting the animals and fruits with vibrant colors from natural dyes. The sweet treats became so popular especially with kids that they kept the nuns pretty busy.

 

 

Toledo's Marzipan Story

Many countries claim to be the origin of marzipan. However, it is believed that marzipan originated in Persia and was introduced in Europe by Turks. Which European country was the first one that was introduced to marzipan? We may never find out. However, stories from different countries are worth telling and here is one from Spain.

Toledo is a charming town located in central Spain. Once, known for its tolerance, where three cultures coexisted together: Christian, Jewish and Muslim. Today the city is famous for two gastronomical products: Manchego cheese and marzipan.

According to the legend, after a battle, there was famine. There was no wheat to make bread. However, there was plenty of sugar and almonds. The nuns from the nearest convent outside Toledo walls mixed the almonds with sugar and fed hungry people. The sweet delicacy was quite different from regular bread, but it worked for the survival time. Much later, it became famous as a sweet treat.

Another Marzipan Story from Lubeck

The city of Lubeck is famous throughout Germany for its exquisite marzipan. There are various stories how marzipan was discovered. We may never find out, which one carries the seed of truth. Never less, all those stories are entertaining and worth telling. Here is one of them.  

In the 17^th century, there was a chef by the name of Franz Marcip, who in search of a job had to leave his home town of Lubeck. He found a work for a wealthy man. Franz was a very creative chef. He came up with variety of dishes for different occasions with ease. He never stopped to amaze his employer. One day, the rich man was preparing for a very important banquet. He had no doubt that Franz would come up with the most superb dessert for that special day.

Franz, who liked any kind of nuts, decided for the first time to add almonds to the dessert. He chopped almonds and mixed them with the dough he preferred earlier. He even went further, dipping the small pieces of already cut dough in some chocolate. The dessert was so well received at the party that it was given a name of Marcip in honor of the chef.

Franz with his experience and brand-named dessert returned to Lubeck, where he set up a bakery specializing in marzipan only. The rest is history as Lubeck remains the city of marzipan.