Mazapán (from Arabic موثابان mawthābān), an arab sweet born in Toledo in Al-Andalus

Travel the halal way to Toledo (Spain) and discover this delicius andalusian sweet, mazapán (from Arabic موثابان mawthābān)


This sweet is made from peeled and ground raw almonds, kneaded with sugar, which is usually shaped to form small figures. The most famous marzipan is made in Toledo, and its production is protected by a Protected Geographic Indication (PGI). This city has a long history of marzipan making, although its origin is unclear. According to some, marzipan was created by the Arabs: the word comes from 'mahsaban', which is applied to all types of sweets made from almonds and other dried fruits and nuts. Others believe It's origin is in Spain, then known as Al-Andalus, in Toledo (850-900, though more probably 1150 during the reign of Alfonso VII) . 

In Toledo this specialty was known as Postre Regio (instead of Mazapán) and there are also mentions in The Book of One Thousand and One Nights of an almond paste eaten during Ramadan and as an aphrodisiac.