Marzipan is one of the most famous sweet delicacies in Europe. Almost every country in Europe has its own secrets of making marzipans, which are kept in great secrecy. Somewhere some ingredients are added to the composition, somewhere less, and sometimes they can use completely original fillings.

But in general, all you need to make classic marzipan is almonds and powdered sugar. The latter can, by the way, be replaced with syrup. Nuts are carefully crushed, ground and mixed with sugar. The result is a very dense and viscous mass, somewhat reminiscent of thick dough in consistency. Marzipan sweets of various shapes are made from it, and with the addition of natural or artificial dyes – and all kinds of colors.

For example, in Italy the preparation of marzipan is impossible without lemon, in Spain without oranges, and in Holland, liquor is added to marzipan sweets. But in what proportions this is all done, no one says. Trade secret…

The taste of marzipan is really delicious. Even the sweetened almond itself is unique, and with different fillers it turns into a delight. But at the same time, such pleasure is also useful. After all, almonds are not just a tasty nut.

History of marzipan
Until now, historians and culinary specialists argue what caused the invention of marzipan sweets. Some argue that allegedly during one of the periods of famine in Italy, due to a lack of bread, the population tried to survive on those products that were in excess. Most of all, there were almonds, and it was this that people used, mixed with sugar.

But the following story about marzipans seems more likely. Even before the Italian famine, European physicians prepared sweet almond candies for those of their patients who suffered from all kinds of nervous disorders. And already these sweets have become popular in times of famine due to the availability of their components.

Indeed, the benefits of marzipans for the nervous system are very noticeable.

Composition of marzipan
1. Almonds.

By the way, almonds are not nuts. It is the pit of a fruit very closely related to plums and peaches. This nut contains a whole set of vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B6, E. Some of them contribute to the normalization of metabolism, some to improve state of the cardiovascular system. And vitamin B3 actively expands the vessels of the brain, contributing to the improvement of mental activity.

But the most important for the brain and nervous system is vitamin B6. It helps to improve memory, increase mental and physical performance, strengthen the nervous system as a whole.

Also, vitamin E is a very powerful stimulant of all body systems. Not only does it protect all organs from the development of cancerous tumors. It is also the only vitamin that can prevent the degeneration of nervous tissue.

2. Sugar.

And in addition to these advantages of almonds, the composition of marzipan contains many simple sugars. Once in the blood, they stimulate the production of the hormone of joy – serotonin, elevating mood and causing a desire to move.

Together, the sugar and vitamins in marzipan sweets have a very powerful effect. This allowed doctors to use marzipan sweets as a cure for depression, apathy, nervous breakdowns, as well as during periods of recovery from serious illnesses. But that is not all.

What is the benefit of marzipan?
Those vitamins that are part of almonds get into sweets with marzipan in full. After all, most of the recipes for making marzipan do not at all provide for any heat treatment of the mixture. And consequently, not a single vitamin will lose its healing properties.

And in general, the most pronounced beneficial qualities of the substances already listed, and hence the benefits of marzipans, are:

strengthening the myocardium;
cleansing of blood vessels and strengthening of the walls;
removal of excess cholesterol from the bloodstream;
ensuring the normal functioning of the liver;
the formation of red blood cells;
participation in energy processes;
protecting the body from viruses and bacteria;
strengthening and healing of joints;
Mineral components help vitamins in all these functions: magnesium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium. All of them also take part in many processes in the body and improve the condition of various organs and tissues.

But what about the harm of marzipans?
Of course he is. Candies with marzipan are sweet and therefore can adversely affect the condition of diabetics. If there is a lot of marzipan sweets, then, like any confectionery, they can lead to damage to the teeth and metabolic disorders. But this is only possible due to the unreasonable excessive use of these delicacies. In this case, the well-known rule works: in moderation and poison is medicine, and in moderation and medicine is poison.

In addition, marzipan sweets are an expensive and exclusive thing. Therefore, not everyone can afford the use of marzipans in really harmful quantities. When used as a refined and infrequent treat, the body will cope with all their shortcomings. And at the same time, he will benefit greatly from them.