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The first sweets began to be made back in Ancient Egypt from dates and honey. And the Romans made sweets from nuts and all kinds of seeds. What are modern sweets? The word "candy" originates from the Latin confectum, which translates as "prepared potion." Antiquity pharmacists called candied fruits processed into jam, which were used for medicinal purposes.
Later, other confectionery products were also called sweets. In Russia, for example, a candy-like delicacy was made from molasses, maple syrup and honey, and in the East - from figs and almonds.
But the real passion around candy flared up after the appearance of chocolate in Europe. At first, he was considered a healing potion and even endowed with magical properties, and then he was accused of almost all mortal sins. Fortunately, the ego did not stop the wonderful delicacies from paving the way to the hearts of millions of sweet tooths around the world, and skillful pastry chefs from inventing the great variety of sweets that we can now enjoy. A short guide to the most popular fillings will help you not to get confused when choosing a treat to taste.
Marzipan
Marzipan is made from sugar syrup and ground almonds, fructose or powdered sugar.
Who was the first to invent marzipans is not known for certain. One of the legends says that the reason for the invention of this delicacy was hunger! Ordinary flour was sorely lacking, so the bread was baked from almond. According to another version, marzipan was used as a medicine for nervous disorders. Be that as it may, this exquisite sweetness is most widespread in Germany and Austria, where funny figurines are made from marzipan around Christmas.
To cook marzipan easy at home. It is tedious to peel 0.5 kg of almonds from thin skins, grind into flour, mix with 200 g of fruit sugar and 15 pcs. bitter almonds, constantly sprinkling with water. After that, place the mass in an enamel bowl and heat over low heat until a plastic-like paste is formed.
Truffle
Truffles are round-shaped sweets filled with ganesha (aromatic cream made on the basis of chocolate). The similarity in the name with the mushrooms of the same name is not accidental. It is in honor of the truffle mushrooms that these sweets got their name.
Classic truffles made from cream, chocolate and butter. From the resulting thick cream, small balls are rolled, which are then glazed and rolled in waffle chips, cocoa powder, ground nuts, coconut flakes, or decorated with patterns of chocolate. If desired, you can add an alcoholic drink to your taste - rum, cognac or liqueur to the ganache. The French confectioner Louis Dufour is considered the inventor of truffles. One New Year's Eve, he ran out of products for making sweets, but he found a way out by mixing the above ingredients. Everyone liked the delicacy and soon found the world's love for the sweet tooth.
Grill
Roasted candies are made from roasted nuts and sugar. Grill can be soft and hard. France is considered his homeland. However, according to legend, the recipe for this sweet was not invented by the French, but by the heroine of the tales "1001 Nights" by Scheherazade. Nut kernels are added to the sugar-honey syrup, allowed to harden, and the roasted nuts are ready. It can be covered with chocolate if desired. Quality brittle does not taste bitter, does not stick to teeth and does not have foreign tastes.
Paste
You will be surprised to learn that marshmallow was not invented in the East, but in the Russian city of Kolomna back in the XIV century A.D.Initially, marshmallow was made from whipped fruit puree, but later they began to add egg white, honey or sugar. Traditional paste was made in a Russian oven. This is the only way to achieve a gradual decrease in temperature and correct solidification of the product. The dried layers of marshmallow were wound on top of each other and baked in the oven again. This sweetness is considered healthy as it is rich in pectins.
Praline
Pralines are a range of desserts made from nuts and sugar syrup. The French tried again! The praline got its name thanks to the French ambassador to Belgium. In 1671, the Duke of Plessis-Praline made the first dessert of grated nuts mixed with thick honey, lumps of chocolate and doused with burnt sugar, like caramel. With time praline began to be used as a filling for cakes, chocolates, and also for decorating pastries.
Candy at home
There are a lot of candy recipes. You can make an Indian burfi treat. You will need 2 liters of milk, 1 tbsp. l. butter and 6 tbsp. Sahara. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine all ingredients and, stirring constantly, bring to a boil. Then reduce heat and cook until the mixture thickens, until it begins to lag behind the bottom of the cauldron (about 24-60 minutes). Roll balls from the resulting doughy mass, let them cool. The treat is ready! If you wish, you can roll the burfi in coconut or put a nut inside.
Sergei
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