Marzipan is a culinary paste created of ground almonds and sugar, which is then frequently sculpted into intricate shapes. Food historians report that marzipan most likely originated in the Middle East and was introduced to Europe in the late Middle Ages. Documented in England as early as the latter part of the 15th century, the confection is also known as marchpane, martspane, mazapan or marchpan. Most likely the British borrowed the word from the early modern French word marcepain or the Italian marzapane.

The paste was first used to form subtleties, or detailed figures, of animals, men, trees, castles and other shapes. The figures made from sugar paste and jellies were presented at the end of each course of a medieval feast.

Germany, especially the city of Lübeck, represents itself as the “world capital of marzipan.” Initially used there for medicinal reasons, a decree first restricted its consumption as a sweet extravagance. It was not until much later, the 18th century, when marzipan became a popular confectionery good, even then reserved as a treat for special holiday occasions. In the 1950s, marzipan reached the status of an everyday confectionery item.

Thus, eight marzipan manufacturers in the Lübeck area formed the Lubecker Marzipan Association in 1974, with the goal of preserving the integrity of the name “Lübecker Marzipan.” The manufacturers distinguish their product from other marzipans by requiring that their product consists of a ratio of 30% sugar to raw almond paste, as opposed to a ratio of 50% sugar in regular marzipan.

Marzipan is hardly considered a luxury item any longer. The present uses of marzipan vary according to the region of the world. In Italy, marzipan is frequently shaped and colored to represent fruit. In Spain, marzipan is often shaped into animals and contains a filling of egg yolk and sugar.

Other countries use various shapes as traditional treats during specific holiday seasons, varying from novelty New Year “good luck” pigs, heart-shaped Valentine gifts, brightly-colored Easter eggs and other holiday shapes to chocolate-covered marzipan loaves and marzipan bars. Marzipan is also used as icing for wedding and Christmas cakes.