Sugar almonds have long been intertwined with carnival traditions, dating back to the era of the Knights of St John. During this period, sugar was a rare and costly commodity, reserved primarily for the wealthy and powerful. As a result, sugar-coated almonds became a symbol of luxury and celebration. Their presence at carnival festivities added a sense of indulgence and spectacle, transforming a simple nut into a treasured sweet that many could only enjoy on special occasions.

One of the most striking customs associated with these treats was their distribution by throwing them into crowds gathered for carnival events. This lively practice may have evolved from earlier food-related entertainments, such as the kukkanja.

In these spectacles, food was displayed or made available in ways that encouraged scrambling and competition among participants. Wealthy sponsors organised such activities not merely out of generosity, but also for amusement. They observed from a distance as eager crowds jostled and competed to seize whatever food they could obtain for free.

In this way, sugar almonds were more than festive confections. They reflected the social hierarchies of their time, highlighting both the extravagance of the elite and the determined enthusiasm of ordinary people during carnival celebrations.

Did you know about this interesting fact related to ‘perlini’?