Click here to read the Spanish version.
The world’s largest marzipan is the work of the Mexican company Dulces de la Rosa. It is a sculptural interpretation of the sweet made from ground peanuts and icing sugar, which is highly appreciated in Mexico and Latin America for its dry, crumbly texture and intense nutty flavour.
The iconic Mexican brand decided to expand and enlarge it to a colossal size, creating the world’s largest mazapán. This one, which weighs 7,000 kilos, would take the podium in Santa Ana (California) to win a new Guinness World Record.
According to We Are NORO, ‘thousands of people gathered at Plaza de Las Banderas to witness this achievement, a tribute to the vibrant Mexican culture within the United States. The massive marzipan, which measured 11.8 feet wide and more than 5 feet tall, surpassed the previous record for the mark in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2018.’
This cultural celebration brought together Mexican-American leaders, local dignitaries, the non-profit organisation Los 32 por México; as well as Mexican families, friends and local communities to pay tribute to this historic milestone marked by Dulces de la Rosa.
Origins of marzipan
Although it is a symbol of Mexican confectionery, its origins date back to 16th century Spain. According to historian Carlos Vizuete Mendoza, the first record of marzipan dates back to 1512 in Madrid, as part of a royal order for ‘sugar fruits and marzipan from Toledo’. This sweet, protected by a DO, has Arabic roots from the term ‘mantha-ban’, meaning ‘seated king’, in reference to the Spanish-Arabic cultural mix.
The marzipan tradition soon spread to other parts of the world, having a great impact and cultural significance in countries such as Mexico, where the sweet acquired its own style with pumpkin seeds and peanuts instead of almonds, giving rise to the iconic Mexican marzipan.