Nougat is a type of confection made from sugar, honey, and nuts. It is popular throughout Europe, where it probably originated, and in Australia, along with parts of Asia. In the United States, a variety of nougat is often used as a filling for candy bars and sweets. This type of nougat, while rooted in European nougat, is usually made slightly differently. The word “nougat” is French, and it comes from the Latin nux, for “nut.”

The most basic nougat incorporates the principle ingredients and may also include dried fruit. It can be served alone as a standalone confection, as is popular in Italy, or it can be covered in chocolate or used as a candy filling. Nougat is especially popular during the holiday season, and many hosts have a plate of nougat out for guests, or give out small wrapped parcels of nougat. The nougat is chewy, rich, and intensely sugary. For consumers with dental problems, nougat can be a painful treat.

The two primary variations of nougat are white nougat and brown nougat. White nougat is made with egg whites, so it is lighter, softer, and chewier in texture. White nougat is the filling which was probably originally used in American candy bars, although modern candy bars use corn syrup, soy protein, and stabilizers in their white nougat, ingredients which cannot be found in traditional nougat. Brown nougat is made with caramelized sugar, and tends to be harder and darker in color.

European candies made with nougat typically feature the nougat as a primary ingredient, rather than as a layer in a complex candy bar. Chocolate coatings for nougat are not uncommon, and some candy companies also make nougat with fruit based candy coatings. Several Middle Eastern countries also make forms of nougat, which may include elements such as rose or orange water. In Australia, mixed nut nougat in both hard and soft consistencies is popular, and Asian nations make an assortment of uniquely flavored nougats.

Home made nougat is difficult to keep for very long. The ingredients can become unstable and go bad if the nougat is not carefully handled. For this reason, many candy companies add ingredients to their nougat so that it will stand up to packing, shipping, and storage. These nougats tend to be more flat in flavor than homemade nougat, as honey is the culprit behind unstable ingredients and the lush taste of home made nougat. People who do not like the nougat in candy bars may find themselves enjoying more traditionally made nougat, while candy bar fans may find the rich flavor and dense texture of European nougat too intense for them.