Definition

Noun: 1. A sugar-coated almond: A confection consisting of an almond seed encased in a hard, brightly colored, and often flavored sugar shell. 2. A variety of almond: A specific type of large almond originally from Málaga, Spain, traditionally used in making confectionery.

Usage Examples

• As a sugar-coated confection:
  • The bowl at the wedding reception was filled with pastel-colored jordan almonds.
  • She offered me a handful of jordan almonds, each one a different flavor.
• Referring to the nut variety (less common in general use):
  • Traditional recipes for these sweets call for genuine jordan almonds from Spain.

Advanced Usage

• Cultural and Ceremonial Use: Jordan almonds, often called in Italian or in Greek traditions, are commonly given as favors at weddings and baptisms. The bitterness of the almond and the sweetness of the coating symbolize the bittersweet nature of life.
  • The wedding favors were small net bags tied with ribbon, each containing five jordan almonds for good luck.

Variants and Related Words

• Sugar almond: A more generic term for an almond with a hard sugar coating.
• Dragée: A broader term for a bite-sized confectionery with a hard outer shell, which can include jordan almonds but also other nuts or chocolate centers.

Synonyms

• Candy-coated almond
• Sugar almond

Notes on Meaning

The term "jordan almond" in contemporary English almost exclusively refers to the finished confection (Definition 1). The reference to the specific almond variety (Definition 2) is historical and technical, relating to the ingredient's origin. When people say "jordan almond," they are typically referring to the colorful, sugary candy.

Noun

1. an almond covered with a sugar coating that is hard and flavored and colored
2. variety of large almond from Malaga, Spain; used in confectionery