Jordan Almonds - The Wedding Tradition %%sep%% %%sitename%% (2024)

FAQs

What is the Jordan almonds wedding tradition? ›

When celebrating Greek weddings, Jordan almonds are called koufeta. They are given as favors only in odd numbers. The odd numbers are to symbolize that the newlyweds will share everything and remain united.

If you want to be faithful to wedding traditions, the sugared almond wedding favours for each of the guests must contain five almonds representing each of the couple's wishes: love, health, happiness, fertility, and long life together.

These sugar-coated candies are rich in flavor and cultural meaning, particularly at Italian and Greek weddings. Fresh almonds have a bittersweet taste, which is supposed to represent life; the sugarcoating adds the hope that the newlyweds' life will be more sweet than bitter.

The perfect wedding bomboniere, which is Italian for wedding favor, includes five Jordan almonds to represent five wishes for the bride and groom. These are health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and a long life. This uneven number also represents the undivided couple.

A: Jordan almonds can last for over a year if stored properly.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, the name Jordan almond may have originated from the French word “jardin,” which means garden. Others say Jordan almonds resemble a variety of almond that grows along the Jordan River in Palestine.

Traditionally five sugar coated almonds represent - health, wealth, happiness, good luck and fertility. Five sugared almonds for each guest to eat. To remind us that life is both bitter and sweet. Five wishes for the new husband and wife. Health, wealth, happiness, children, and a long life!

But, in Italy it's traditional to give guests sugared almonds called confetti. The confetti are packaged in lace and ribbon ("bomboniera") with a specific number of almonds symbol of luck and prosperity. Generally an odd numbers - like five or seven - because they are lucky in Italy.

Put them out at the buffet in large jars or as favors in fancy pouches, totes, or burlap bags. Perfect for Weddings, baby showers, themed parties, baptism and birthdays etc. The almonds are coated in a hard shell, eat them by placing in mouth for a bit until they are ready for the bite. Enjoy!

Across many cultures, the bitterness of the almond covered by the sweetness of the sugar is a reminder that life is both bitter and sweet. We may never know why these dragées are called Jordan almonds.

What does the almond mean in Christianity? ›

In the Christian tradition, the almond signifies divine favour and approval, and the purity of the Virgin. The nut is concealed within an outer skin, bringing the idea of the essence hidden within things of little apparent importance: for example, the divinity of Christ hidden within the mortal human form.

Covering the almonds:

Melt the fondant for covering the almonds. See that the almonds are totally dry after blanching and peeling. Dip them one and one in the melt fondant, pick up with a fork, tap the fork against the edge of the pot and wipe the underside of the excess coating. Put the almonds to dry on wax paper.

"Italians traditionally package these candied almonds in bunches of five to represent wishes of health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity," she says. For some, the five almonds also symbolize a number that can't be divided into two, just like the bond formed by a newly married couple.

Rough estimate: over 500 almonds in the bag, but less than 550 almonds.

Waleema is one of the most important traditions of the marriage in Jordan. It's a meal served by the groom's family to the guests of the two families, relatives and neighbors. In the past, celebrating marriage in Jordan lasted for 30 days, and every day food was served. Now, it may last for a day or few days.

Since their origins in Rome, Jordan almonds have traditionally been used as a wedding favor and are still used for that purpose today. The traditional bomboniere includes five Jordan almonds, which symbolize health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and a long life.

Confetti in Italian means “candied”. For a wedding, specifically, it refers to sugar-coated almonds. This has a special meaning at a wedding. The almond symbolizes the bitter-sweetness of marriage and the beginning of a new life. Pack these almonds prettily into Bomboniere: also a special tradition.

Health, wealth, happiness, children, and a long life! As such, the almonds are considered a symbol of good luck, and the tradition of gifting them as wedding favours spread across Europe. In gifting them to their guests, it is thought that the couple are sharing their luck and happiness with them.