Nougat, the word derived from the Latin word nux meaning nut and a word part of the Occitan language has its modern roots steeped back to the 13th and 15th centuries and indications as far back as the 1st century.
In essence Nougat is a cooked confection of refined sugars and honey which is added to egg whites whilst being mixed. After this , which can take some time to get the right consistency, dry ingredients are added and mixed to be then left to set and cure. Large precision blades are then used to cut the desired size ready for consumption.
Jijona and Alicante in Spain and Montelimar in France lay claim to be the most famous homes of artisanal nougat, combining egg white to its original beginnings of honey and nuts. These original beginnings of nougat can be dated back to first century Baghdad where honey and nuts were a staple ingredient in every day life.
Nougat in all its artisanal glory symbolises good luck and prosperity, celebration and good taste, honoured at Christmas time, for weddings and birthdays, family celebrations and milestones. Nougat is a true jewel in the confectionery world.
Nougat is represented in many countries across the world and comes in many different forms with these forms derived from its surrounds and ingredients available.
Pistachios, almonds, honey, dried fruits, couverture chocolate and spices are all ingredients found in nougat worldwide, sometimes all together but usually kept very simple.
Cooking methods differ ever so slightly across the world through the cooking of various sugars and the variations in ingredients combined but the traditions stay true to the very early incarnations of artisanal nougat all those centuries ago.
Nougat- NOO-get, NOO-gah from wherever you are from around the world.
