Dragée
A dragée [p] is a form of confectionery which — in addition to consumption — can be used for a decorative or historically symbolic purpose.
Contents |
[edit] Jordan Almonds
A classic form of dragée, Jordan almonds, also known as sugared almonds or confetti, consist of almonds which are sugar panned in various pastel colors.[1]
They are often used as wedding favors; "bitter" almonds and the "sweet" sugar symbolizing bitterness of life and sweetness of love.[2] The treats are often packaged in groups of five per guest.[3]
Thought to originate from Sulmona, Italy, the term "Jordan" is most likely a corrupted version of the French word jardin, meaning "garden," hence, a cultivated rather than wild almond. [4] [5] 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.[6]
[edit] Chocolate
With the introduction of chocolate to the Old World and its popularity once an eating form was developed in the early 19th century, there have been chocolate dragées with multi-colored candy shells. Some commercial brands of chocolate dragées include M&M's and the Nestlé brand Smarties.
[edit] Metallic
A third form of dragée is a small sphere of sugar, used primarily in the decoration of cookies, cakes, and other forms of bakery. These dragées are produced in various sizes, typically 3 and 4 millimeters in diameter. This is larger than nonpareils and smaller than large pearl tapioca.
Silver dragées have long been used for both wedding and holiday food decoration. More recently, metallic gold, copper, and rainbow colors (red, green, blue, etc.), as well as pearlescent colors, have become available. Another term for dragées is cachous.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers the metallic-finish dragées to be inedible, and they are sold with a notice that they are for decorative purposes only. Early in the 20th century, the silver finish may have contained mercury (it does not now). The sale of these dragées was banned for some time. Although the metallic-finish dragées can be purchased in 49 U.S. states, they are no longer sold in California due to a 2003 lawsuit against several sellers.[7] However in other countries (including the United Kingdom) they are classed as food items.
[edit] Other forms
Mentos are a commercial brand of "chewy dragee". This description and labelling is used in Europe and Asia; the common American names are mints and candy.[citation needed]
In Europe, the term "dragee" may be used to describe any sugar coated confection, including nuts, raisins, chocolate or licorice pieces.[citation needed]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[p] ^ The word dragée is pronounced 
/dræˈʒeɪ/ dra-ZHAY; from Greek tragêmata "sweets, treats" through French.
- ^ E. B. Jackson, ed. (1999). Sugar Confectionery Manufacture (2nd ed.). Springer. p. 251. ISBN 9780834212978. http://books.google.com/books?id=GFw8HEqnLvIC&pg=PA251&dq=dragee+panning&lr=&as_brr=0&ei=4MRjSpLPCJDKkATqioCxDg.
- ^ Confetti and Weddings
- ^ Superior Nut Company. 2010-01-19. The Story of Jordan Almonds. Retrieved 2010-01-28.
- ^ Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, 17th edition, 2005, p. 750.
- ^ The History of The “Confetti of Sulmona” and the Pelino House
- ^ http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/ComplianceManuals/CompliancePolicyGuidanceManual/ucm074593.htm
- ^ Meisler, Andy (December 18, 2005). "A Tempest on a Tea Cart". The Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/2005/dec/18/magazine/tm-dragee51.
- Dictionnaire de Français Larousse (1996) ISBN 2-03-320222-4
- Richardson, Tim (2002) Sweets: A History of Candy, Bloomsbury ISBN 1-58234-307-1
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Dragée |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
This confectionery-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
