What is guirlache and what does it have to do with the French?

Many people confuse guirlache with almond nougat. However, guirlache has a very different flavor and texture than nougat.

At
Casa Mira
we want to tell you what is guirlache, where it comes from and why it has a French name.

The guirlache. An Arab sweet with a French name

It is curious that a sweet of Arab origin from medieval times ends up bearing a French name. It is clear that historical events sometimes give us unexpected curiosities that are reflected in such everyday things as the name of a traditional sweet.

The truth is that it was the Arabs, when they passed through the Peninsula, who gave us the wonderful recipe of guirlache. The same Arabs introduced the nougat, made with honey and almonds (here is the recipe for homemade almond nougat). However, the guirlache did not have much fame, since, in those medieval times, sugar and almonds were products that few pockets could afford.

It took the arrival of the French and their opulence in the 19th century to popularize the guirlache recipe in Spain. Especially in the area of Aragon, Catalonia and Valencia, guirlache was very successful, as well as nougat, since these were areas where these ingredients were abundant. So, in addition to the tradition of eating guirlache, we also inherited its name, which comes from the French, “grillage”, which means “something toasted”.

What is the difference between nougat and nougat?

Although in many bakeries you will find the phrase “turrón de guirlache“, the truth is that they are different recipes and, therefore, different sweets.

It is true that its main composition is based on almonds and sugar, but the guirlache has the difference that, in its basic recipe, it does not contain anything else. Nougat, on the other hand, usually has some kind of honey added to it.

Another difference between guirlache and nougat is that the sugar is more caramelized in the former, and the almonds are added with skin, which gives a different texture from that of nougat. On the other hand, guirlache is always hard, while nougat can have a more unctuous recipe.

How is guirlache made?

Its simplest recipe simply consists of making a caramel with sugar in a frying pan, adding the whole almonds with skin, and stirring so that they are well impregnated.

Then, we spread them on a baking dish where, previously, we will have placed a non-stick paper. With a rolling pin impregnated with oil, flatten until a thin layer is left. Allow to cool and cut into portions.

As the saying goes, “each master has his own book”, so, throughout history, depending on the place where we are, we will find a different guirlache recipe. Some include lemon juice and others honey.

In any case, guirlache is a great sweet to eat all year round and one of our specialties.

At Casa Mira we prepare it handmade with Marcona almonds and lots of toasted sugar, a pleasure for mind and body!

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