Differences in marzipan quality

"Take almonds, sugar and rose water ..." is the simple, classic recipe for marzipan. Decisive for the unique quality of the Niederegger products is, in addition to the quality of the raw materials and the traditional roasting process, the right mix of almonds and sugar.

Basically, the higher the almond content, the higher the quality of the marzipan. So the raw mass must consist of at least 65% almonds and must contain no more than 35% sugar. Further sugar may be added in the further processing, which is basically dispensed with by Niederegger.

• NIEDEREGGER MARZIPAN  100: 0
  consists of 100% finest marzipan raw material.
• LÜBECKER EDELMARZIPAN  90:10 
  is composed of 90% marzipan raw material and an additional 10% sugar.
• LÜBECKER MARZIPAN / EDELMARZIPAN  70:30
  contains only 70% marzipan raw material and is processed with an additional sugar content of 30%.
• CONSUMER MARKIPAN  50:50
  is made from 50% raw material and another 50% sugar.

The aromatic almonds

The almond tree with its Latin name Prunus dulcis is one of the rose plants and is therefore closely related to cherry, peach, apricot and rose. For around 4000 years, the frost-sensitive tree has been cultivated. The almonds thrive particularly well in a warm climate and are grown, for example, in southern Spain in the region around Alicante.

Aromatic almonds from southern regions are the most important raw material for the high quality Niederegger marzipan. Between January and February is the time of the almond blossom. The wide groves show up in their brilliant white and pink splendor. The managing proprietors of the Niederegger family business, the Strait family, are personally convinced by the abundance of flowers these days.

From March, nothing is to be seen of the blossoms of almond trees. The harvest takes place from beginning to middle of September. The edible almond kernel is surrounded by a protective, hard shell. From this, the almonds are harvested in the harvest areas, selected and packaged for transport.

In Lübeck, once again, the quality of each individual delivery is checked by an independent laboratory before the almonds are released for production.

The original recipe

Decisive for the unique quality of the Niederegger products are, in addition to the quality of the raw materials, the correct mixing ratio of the ingredients as well as the traditional roasting process. Everything else is a closely guarded family secret that has been handed down from generation to generation for more than 200 years.

Niederegger attaches great importance to traditional craftsmanship. The almonds are blanched in a hot water bath to quickly and thoroughly rid them of their brown skin. Subsequently, a machine and additionally a manual sorting done, so that in the end only the very best almonds are processed. In large drums they are washed again before they are mixed with the sugar. Rolls grind the almonds and the sugar, taking care that the structure of the almond is preserved and still on the tongue is noticeable.

Then the roasting of the raw mass begins under the eyes of an experienced roasting master. For this purpose, the mass is placed in rotating vessels and heated evenly over an open flame. The result is fine roasted aromas and the almonds and sugar combine to form an aromatic savory raw material. After cooling off with cold air and a rest phase, the Niederegger secret is added. Only now is the marzipan ready and can be processed into one of more than 300 different products.