The Nougat Natter: Peruvian Sweetness Conquers the World
Well, well, well, look who’s sweetening the pot of international trade—Peruvian nougat! Yes, folks, while the world is busy debating politics and climate change, the true marvel lies in those delightful chewy bites of joy. Let’s dive into the delectable details of this historical treat and its expanding presence on foreign tongues—er, markets!
A Sweet History with a Miracle Behind It
Our story begins in the 18th century, where the aroma of freshly made sweets wafted through the Cañete Valley. Enter Josefa Marmanillo, an Afro-Peruvian chef—who, might I add, should totally have her own cooking show. After suffering some serious health problems, legend has it that she decided to take a little spiritual pilgrimage, begging for a miracle from the Lord of Miracles. Upon her miraculous recovery, she whipped up a special nougat in gratitude. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade—or in this case, turning suffering into sweetness!
Exporting Joy: A Global Sweet Tooth
Fast forward to 2023, and the world can no longer resist this sugary delight. With sales hitting a staggering US$ 200 thousand in exports, nougat is on the rise, much like your blood sugar after consuming a whole box. The United States leads the way in the nougat game, spending a whopping US$ 127,358.65 on nearly 27,314 kg of this delightful treat. That’s right, folks—Americans are inhaling Peruvian nougat like it’s the last piece of that pizza on a Sunday night!
The Dutch and Italians are also joining the party, with the Netherlands and Italy grabbing slices of this sweet pie. But let’s not forget our neighbors down south—Chile’s got a taste for the good stuff too, landing them in second place. It’s like the world suddenly realized that while they’ve been munching on their boring chocolates, they were missing out on the vibrant world of Peruvian nougat!
- United States: 27,314.08 kg – US$ 127,358.65
- Chile: 1,582.68 kg – US$ 18,006.70
- Netherlands: 1,950.29 kg – US$ 14,220.00
- Italy: 2,317.32 kg – US$ 13,242.66
The Sweet Tooth Response: Countries Are Buying!
We can’t ignore the other sweet-toothed nations getting in on the action. Japan has purchased over 2,410 kg valued at just below US$ 10,000. This is the part where I imagine Japanese chefs delicately crafting intricately layered nougat desserts, while I’m just here, trying to not inhale it in one go! And let’s raise a toast to Bolivia, who, although at the bottom of the ranking, ordered 72 kg. Not bad for a neighbor that’s got one foot in the Andes and one in the culinary revolution!
Sweet Treats and Cultural Connections
Now, let’s talk about some of the heavy hitters in Peruvian nougat production. We have the likes of El Señorío de Sulco and Tanta. They’re not just selling nougat; they’re serving up cultural experiences, blending traditional recipes with modern flair. Tanta’s nougat mixes honey and various fruits—talk about a fruit salad you actually want to eat!
- El Señorío de Sulco: Soft and spicy nougat with a cherry on top. Price: S/ 155 per kg.
- Tanta: Traditional nougat at S/ 79 per kg, featuring an exquisite blend of fruits.
- La Bonbonniere: Balancing flavors and textures at S/ 79 per kg.
- Italo Pastry: Classic Doña Pepa’s nougat at S/ 66 per kg.
The Legacy of the Nougat
But it’s not just about the production and sales—it’s also about the legacy. Peruvian nougat is deeply intertwined with cultural celebrations, particularly the “purple month” in October when the Lord of Miracles processions take center stage. It’s not just food; it’s a cultural phenomenon! Imagine a dessert that carries devotion, gratitude, and cultural identity all in one bite! No pressure, right?
A New Twist on Tradition
Even as traditions hold strong, innovation isn’t left behind. Enter Chocoboq, a new variant that fuses classic nougat with tropical fruits created by entrepreneurial women from Ucayali. Talk about a story where the women are not just noted figures in the kitchen but revolutionaries, reclaiming their narratives one candy at a time!
Final Thoughts
In short, as Peruvian nougat continues to spread its sweetness across the globe, we take a moment to appreciate not just the chewy goodness but also the rich history interwoven into each bite. Next time you pop a piece of nougat in your mouth, remember: you’re not just indulging in a snack; you’re participating in a centuries-old miracle. So go on, enjoy yourself and don’t forget to pass the confectionery! Remember, when life gives you nougat, treasure it because it’s one sweet journey worth taking.
Other notable buyers of Peruvian nougat are the Netherlands, with US$ 14 thousand, and Italy with US$ 13 thousand. Photo: composition Infobae/Trujillo Peru
Peruvian nougat is a traditional sweet linked to the culture and religiosity of the nation. Its origin dates back to the 18th century during the viceroyalty of Peru. The story goes that Josefa Marmanillo, an Afro-Peruvian cook who lived in the Cañete Valley, created this dessert in gratitude for a miracle attributed to the Lord of Miracles. This sweet is not only enjoyed in Peruvian lands. A total of 13 countries in the world buy from nougat.
Adex shared to Infobae that sales of Peruvian nougat abroad have accumulated a total of US$ 200 thousand so far this year. In the range from 2023 to 2024, there are three South American countries that buy the national candy. Boliviaone of the nations that shares the most with Peru on a cultural level, is ranked 8th on the complete list. On the other hand, Argentina It does not appear in the data provided by the Exporters Association.
Chile is the country of South America that most requests Peruvian nougat. In 2024, it purchased almost 1.6 tons of the candy, which is valued at US$ 18 thousand. In total, the Chilean participation accumulates 9% of the export of the Peruvian recipe.
For its part, according to Adex, Bolivia acquired 72 kg. of nougat, equivalent to US$ 1.7 thousand. Finally, in 2023, Venezuela acquired 9 kg. of the candy valued at US$ 510.
Peruvian nougat export table. Photo: Adex capture
- United States: 27,314.08 kg. – US$ 127,358.65
- Chile: 1.582,68 kg. – US$ 18.006,70
- Netherlands: 1,950.29 kg. – US$ 14,220.00
- Italia: 2.317,32 kg. – US$ 13.242,66
- Japan: 2,410.55 kg. – US$9990.30
- Spain: 1,165.72 kg. – US$ 8,007.66
- Canada: 1,186.45 kg. – US$4,536.00
- Bolivia: 720,00 kg. – US$ 1.758,07
- Belgium: 240.00 kg. – US$1,665.50
- Suiza: 150,27 kg. – US$ 1.597,44
- Francia: 10.21 kg. – US$143.38
- Singapore: 25.71 kg. – US$88.00
- Aruba: 41,75 kg. – US$ 16,28
The United States is the nation that buys the most nougat. Photo: Notimérica
- El Señorío de Sulco: This artisanal nougat stands out for its soft and spicy dough, accompanied by honey made with fresh fruits. In addition, it is decorated with sweets, cherry, pecans and caramelized cherries, with an acidic touch provided by the quince. Among their products, they offer “Retablo Milagro” nougat, which costs S/ 155 per kilo.
- Tanta: In the well-known restaurant of chef Gastón Acurio, a 1 kilo nougat is offered that combines honey, chancaca and a variety of fruits such as pineapples, apples, peaches, figs, oranges and quinces. The price of this sweet is S/79 per kilo.
- La Bonbonniere: Recognized for its traditional nougat, this dessert offers a perfect balance between ingredients, textures and flavors. The kilo is valued at S/79.
- Italo Pastry: Their version of Doña Pepa’s nougat is made with multiple layers of anise dough sticks, covered with homemade fruit and panela honey, decorated with colored dragees. This classic Peruvian dessert is offered at S/ 66 per kilo.
Tanta nougat. Photo: Tanta/Facebook
He nougat It is an emblematic sweet of Peruvian gastronomy, especially linked to the celebrations of the “purple month” in October, when the traditional procession of the Lord of Miracles takes place in Lima. Its origin dates back to the end of the 18th century and is surrounded by stories that mix devotion and gratitude.
One of the best-known versions tells that Josefa Marmanillo, an Afro-Peruvian woman from the Cañete Valley, suffered from an illness that limited the movement of her arms. Upon hearing about the miracles of the Christ of Pachacamilla, he decided to make a pilgrimage to Lima to implore his healing. According to legend, after the devotion shown, he recovered his health, and in gratitude created a special nougat, which he offered as a tribute during the processions of the Lord of Miracles.
It is nougat It is characterized by a base of strips of flour and butter dough, bound with a thick fruit honey and covered with colorful sprinkles. Although it has influences from the nougats brought by the Spanish, Doña Pepa’s acquired a unique style, adapting to local ingredients and Lima’s taste. Initially known as “honey nougat” or “Nougat of the Lord of Miracles”, it was at the beginning of the 20th century when the name “Doña Pepa Nougat” became popular in honor of its creator.
The tradition of this dessert not only persists as a symbol of religious devotion, but has also become an icon of Lima’s culinary identity, enjoyed by Peruvians of all generations and in different parts of the world.
The Association of Entrepreneurial Women Flor de Boquerón of Ucayali has launched the nougat Chocoboq, a variant that fuses the traditional dessert recipe with tropical fruit flavors. This project has the support of the National Commission for Development and Life without Drugs (Devida).
Chocoboq, which combines the classic with a touch of innovation, is sold in presentations of half a kilo for S/ 10 and one kilo for S/ 20, available both in local stores and for shipments throughout the country. This product seeks to increase the income of the members of the association in the province of Padre Abad, offering consumers a unique and delicious option.
