Marzipan Selection by Sawade with walnut, pistachio and rum
Marzipan Selection by Sawade is a flat box of ten, where a single raw paste takes on five different directions. Walnuts, pistachios and raisins soaked in rum sit on and inside the almond paste, while brandy and kirschwasser also play a distinct part.
Marzipan Selection is the marzipan assortment from Sawade in Berlin-Reinickendorf: ten pieces totaling 115 grams in a flat black tray under cellophane. A coral-red seal holds it together and bears only a single word, so it is clear from the outside what is inside.
Soft almond beneath two types of chocolate
Five varieties are arranged in pairs, and the coatings alone reveal that not everything in this box is dark. Two rows are milk chocolate, while the others feature a premium dark chocolate shell that balances the sweetness of the almond.
Underneath, the same light-colored paste awaits—moist and with a short bite. The walnut half on top adds a woody bitterness, while the pistachio reveals its green nut and tastes more resinous than it looks.
The maraschino cherry is the only variety to introduce fruit, sitting under dark couverture on a bed of raw paste. Kirschwasser is part of its recipe, drawing the almond notes into the tart, while the plain premium marzipan alongside it remains unadulterated, showcasing the base from which the other four varieties originate.
One pair stands out because its paste contains raisins and Jamaican rum, with the fruit lending a soft acidity to the marzipan. Brandy and kirschwasser work more subtly in the other varieties, but they are clearly declared and worth mentioning before you pass them around.
Soft, grainy, with a kick of spirits—this box is not intended for the children's table in the afternoon. However, the slim format fits easily into a bag next to a bottle and still makes for a great gift.
When the spirit infuses the almond
Marzipan does not simply absorb alcohol; it must be able to hold it without losing its consistency. This is why the rum is added to the raw paste while it is still warm from the kettle, as it would not incorporate later on.
The raisins are soaked in rum until plump, because a dry raisin would draw moisture from the paste and leave it crumbly. Only then are they added to the raw paste, where they remain juicy.
At Sawade, the almonds are roasted slowly in an open copper kettle, because excessive heat would turn a raw paste bitter rather than fragrant. Each piece is then shaped by hand, dipped in couverture, and individually decorated.
Gold for the walnut on brandy marzipan
The International Chocolate Awards recognize excellence in the German-speaking region every year, and the Berlin-based chocolatier appears on their lists multiple times. The walnut on brandy marzipan won gold in 2019 in the dark chocolate nut praline category.
This selection pairs well with strong coffee, a dark Assam tea, or the end of an evening when no one is ready to leave. Store them at 15 to 18 degrees in a dark cupboard to keep the paste moist; in the refrigerator, it will contract and hold onto its fragrance.
The same almond core is available as a loaf in the marzipan bread, or completely alcohol-free in the alcohol-free praline box. More from Sawade can be found at Sawade Berlin, and more handmade treats under Pralines & Truffles.