Nut Brittle: Salty Sweetness with Satisfying Crunch

The winter holiday season doesn’t have to be here to enjoy nut brittle’s salty sweetness. Try some at home, or the local candy shop, or online. Made from sugar, water, and nuts. Flavours can vary with the choice of nut, vanilla, cocoa, and maple syrup. Nuts like peanuts, almonds, cashews, or pistachios create a unique nut brittle. Give it a try. Brittle is made by heating all the basic ingredients until it reaches between 300°F or 149°C and becomes a dark color with a caramel smell. At that point, nuts or seeds are added to the mixture before it is poured out to cool on a marble surface. Once cool, it is broken up and consumed.

Folklore.. Nut Brittle: Salty Sweetness with Satisfying Crunch

Nut brittle is not just a sweet treat; it’s a cultural icon with a rich folklore that adds to its significance. According to popular legend, the Celts were the first to create nut brittle, serving it during their holidays. Some believe the Celts made it by baking a mix of sugar and peanut butter. By the 1830s, nut brittle had made its way from Europe to America, brought by Irish settlers. Another version of the nut brittle story emerged in the 19th century in British cookbooks, featuring almonds instead of peanuts.

American folklore tells a different story of the origin of nut brittle. In 1890, a Southern lady accidentally created peanut brittle while attempting to make taffy. The story goes that she mistakenly used baking soda instead of cream of tartar, resulting in a crunchy and delicious confection that many recognize today. Another tale from Southern folklore tells of Tony Beaver, Paul Bunyan’s cousin, who saved a town from a flood by creating a dam with molasses and peanuts. The hardened dam was then cut into pieces and taken home to be eaten, giving rise to the peanut brittle we know today.

Historical Facts..Nut Brittle: Salty Sweetness with Satisfying Crunch

The actual story of nut brittle goes back further than any of the folk stories. Historical experts say nut brittle was discovered in ancient times in Mesopotamia. A sweet called pasteli was created from honey and sesame seeds. The mixture was cooked until it hardened. The result is a crunchy treat similar to nut brittle. There are records of the Persians, Greeks, and Romans adapting the basic brittle recipe for their own purposes. Indians changed the recipe by adding a variety of nuts and seeds to a basic brittle recipe made from jaggery, an unrefined sugar made from sugarcane juice. The final product is called chikki.

Kinds of Nut Brittle (Around the World)

Peanut Brittle—America and UK (National Peanut Brittle Day is 26 January 2025)
Sohan—Iran
Nougatine—France
Croccante—Italy
Krokant—Croatia
Panocha Mani—Philippines
Gozinaki—Georgia
Sohan Halwa—Pakistan
Gachak or Chikki—India

Nuashang Tang—China
Thua Tat—Thailand
Alegría—Mexico
Pé-de-moleque—Brazil
Kotkoi—Bangladesh
Kẹo lạc, kẹo hạt điều—Vietnam

Creative Nut Brittle Recipes

Easy Peanut Brittle: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/grandma-s-christmas-brittle/
Cinnamon Almond Brittle: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/cinnamon-almond-brittle/
Cashew Brittle: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/cashew-brittle/
Spiced Rum-Nut Brittle: https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/holiday-barks-and-brittles/
Aloha Brittle: https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/holiday-barks-and-brittles/
Chocolate Almond Brittle: https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/holiday-barks-and-brittles/

Nut Brittle Gifts from UK Distributors

Berrymans Sweets in Lancashire has a jar of its signature peanut brittle for £9.99. This item is ideal for vegetarian and gluten-free diets and is also gelatine-free. Today, they specialize in retro sweets from the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. Order their peanut brittle at https://www.berrymanssweets.co.uk/.

Buttermilk Artisan Confectionery makes peanut brittle in single packs and bundle packs. Its brittle has an award-winning flavour. Each piece is hand-broken and made from whole roasted peanuts. A single bag costs £4.50, and a 3x Bundle bag costs £12.50. Consumers can save 7 percent with the 3x Bundle. New customers get 20 percent off their first order. Go online to https://www.buttermilk.co.uk/ to find more.

Best Quality Nut Brittle…Nut Brittle: Salty Sweetness with Satisfying Crunch

Walnut Tree is a luxury gourmet food company specializing in high-quality nuts, fruit, and chocolate products from around the world. The company offers an assorted nut brittle gift box for £13.00. Six individually wrapped bars of assorted nut brittle are hand-packed in Great Britain and shipped quickly. Enjoy a continental almond brittle, a classic peanut brittle, Asian puffed rice with almond brittle. The box contains two of each brittle; however, the contents in the gift box may change seasonally. The box is certified kosher under the auspices of The London Beth Din. It is also suitable for vegetarian, gluten-free, and halal diets. Order online at walnut.gifts using SKU Code: RBNB.

Enjoy nut brittle year-round, not just during the winter holidays. Many countries have their own version of the salty-sweet confection. Origin and folklore stories greatly vary. That’s part of the mystique of this delightful product. Try a new recipe from above or order from one of the UK shops listed to get a sugar fix. There’s no need to wait!

What’s your favourite nut brittle? Share it with us. We’re always looking for new ideas to share with our customers.

About Walnut Tree- the finest edible gifts

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With Great Taste Awards for nougat, dried fruit, marron glacé, glacé fruit and pate de fruit. You’ll always be purchasing quality products from Walnut Tree.

Who we supply

Supplied under own brand or white label to prestigious stores, palaces, castles, stately homes, garden centres, delicatessens, farm shops, hamper companies, department stores and gift shops.

Why buy from us?

You’re buying directly from the source and will get excellent value for money. If you’re not happy with your purchase, we’ll refund or replace it. The website is open 24/7, orders despatched within 48 hours.

Our charitable contributions

Walnut Tree supports Future Dreams Breast Cancer Charity with dried fruit for their care packages. www.futuredreams.org.uk

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Nut Brittle: Salty Sweetness with Satisfying Crunch