Nougat Around the World: A Look at Different Versions of Nougat Globally

Nougat is a popular confectionery enjoyed worldwide, with many variations across different countries. Often associated with Montélimar, nougat is believed to have originated in Turkey. Indeed, the earliest traces of this treat date back to the 10th century in Baghdad, a city under Ottoman rule.

Typically, nougat consists of whipped egg whites, honey, and nuts. Depending on the country, the ingredients can vary slightly, resulting in different textures and flavors. Here are some of the most popular versions around the globe:

Montélimar Nougat

This is the nougat you might be most familiar with. Its creation dates back to the late 17th century. It is a direct descendant of Arabic nougat but has been refined into an exceptional confection. Montélimar nougat is made with dried fruits, Mediterranean honey, sugar, egg whites, unleavened bread, and vanilla.

Spanish Nougat: Turrón

Spain offers several types of nougat, differing in taste, texture, and appearance. Turrón de Alicante is a hard, brittle nougat made from whole almonds, honey, egg whites, and sugar. Turrón de Jijona has a tender, chewy texture similar to Montélimar nougat, made by finely grinding almonds and mixing them with honey, sugar, and egg whites. Turrón de frutas (fruit nougat) includes dried and candied fruits (raisins, apricots, cherries, etc.), and can be either tender or hard, depending on the method of preparation.

Italian Nougat : Torrone

In Italy, nougat is called torrone and comes in many regional varieties. In Lombardy, Torrone di Cremona is made with almonds, while Torrone di Benevento in Campania uses hazelnuts. For a richer treat, Torrone coperto is coated in chocolate, creating a sublime combination of traditional torrone and cocoa.

Mandolato: Greek Nougat

Made from a smooth meringue enriched with honey and almonds, Greek nougat has a soft texture and delicate flavor. There are also other varieties in Greece, including chocolate, dried fruit, vanilla, and lemon nougats.

Nougats of Asia and South America Nougat isn’t just a Mediterranean specialty. Various nougat types exist in Asia and South America. For example, Chinese nougat is made with peanuts and sesame seeds, while the Puerto Rican variant includes roasted sesame, cinnamon powder, and lemon juice.