Nougat is a confection made with either honey or sugar, some type of roasted nuts, whipped egg whites, and sometimes includes the addition of chopped candied fruits. It is believed to have originated somewhere in Central Asia or Persia, with recipes for it dating back to Middle Eastern books from the 10th century.

It is still a confection enjoyed around the world, and in some parts of southern Europe, it features prominently in Christmas meals. It has also earned its own holiday—a holiday known as National Nougat Day, observed annually on March 26.

Sweet And Nutty Facts About Nougat

Below is a small sample of the facts that we have learned about nougat over the course of our holiday research. We think that everyone will find the following facts quite interesting—we know that we did.

• Nougat comes from the Latin word “Panis Nucatus,” which means “nut bread.”
• White nougat is made with honey and beaten egg whites.
• Brown nougat is made without egg whites.
• German nougat contains pralines and chocolate.
• American nougat, used by candy bar manufacturers, is a softer, more whipped variety.
• Torrone is a white nougat enjoyed as a Christmas dessert in Italy and Spain.

Observing National Nougat Day

Before you observe National Nougat Day, you will want to figure out whether you want to celebrate this holiday with white nougat, brown nougat, or German nougat.

Or perhaps you prefer the American nougat found in popular candy bars such as Milky Way, 3 Musketeers, Snickers, Baby Ruth, Charleston Chew, Zero Bars, or Goo Goo Clusters. While enjoying your preferred form of nougat, don’t forget to use the hashtag #NationalNougatDay to let everyone know which type of nougat you like the best.