At the origin in 1220, an apothecary had a stroke of genuis. He took an almond that he was using to make some cakes and coated it with a layer of sugar and honey. Then, to make the transport easier, he baked his new delicacy in the oven.
The sugared almond was born an called spice.

In 1660, Verdun's sugared almond production was so considerable that the great Colbert wrote to the Sun King - Louis XIV :"In Verdun there is a great trade of sugared almonds". Very quickly, this product became popular in the palaces and in each room a sweet jar decorated the ladies' bedside tables.
In 1783, it was a simple confectioner's established by J BOIVIN, it became in 1871a huge factory controlled by Mr Léon BRAQUIER and Mr Edouard BOIVIN but it was destroyed during the Verdun battle in 1916. The "Verdun's sugared almond" Company was finally founded on the 11th August 1921.
This delicacy underwent historic moments like the coronation of Henri III and was tasted by famous people like Napoleon, General de Gaulle, HRH the Prince of Wales...
Verdun's inhabitants still keep the tradition of each visit of a head of State which consists in giving a "drageoir" bearing the coat of arms of Verdun.

The success of the sugared almond is based on a traditional manufacturing process coming from a skill passed on from generation to generation. Almonds are very rigorously selected and always come from Italy or Spain. Then, the almond is coated with a layer of sugar, smooth and strong.
It can be tasted neat or flavoured and exists in different colours and shapes. The sugared almond is not only made of almonds, but also nuts, nougatine, chocolate, liquor and almond paste...