Although it is true that no one has asked for it, we have assumed on our own initiative the responsibility and hard work of testing the new nougats that flood the market every year. Especially those that draw attention due to their somewhat extravagant ingredients and combinations in an assortment that at this point is endless.
In order to highlight this year's trends, the classic cookies (Prince, Dinosaurus) also want to play with nougat, the kiosk sweets enter the scene (Chupa Chups and kikos), pistachio seems to be one of the ingredients of the moment and after the torreznos nougat now comes the ham nougat. It is not a joke.
It is one of the novelties that has caught our attention the most this year: Dinosaurus cookie nougat. It is signed by Nestle Extrafino, which has brought its range of chocolates closer to the nougat format and in this case has added its iconic cookies, shared by several generations. We miss dinosaur shapes in the chocolate, to top off the fun, but the truth is that we do appreciate the cookie flavor. But Dinosaurus? That is saying a lot, but it is true that once we know the ingredient we can find it in this tasting.
Another legendary cookie, the Principe, make their debut in the world of nougats with the help of Suchard. Nobody better than them because their crunchy chocolate nougat is the grandfather of this range of creative nougats that now seem common to us. Chocolate, with chocolate and cookies, nothing can go wrong.
Also in this case suggestion works well and after knowing the flavor with our eyes closed we seem to find the mythical Prince in that mixture of cookie and chocolate.
Although a priori it may seem that some nougats target children's palates, thinking about it carefully they are more aimed at an audience of a certain age who remembers certain flavors from childhood. And when you see the name on the supermarket shelf you will feel temptation.
Yes, the children of the 80s, those of the EGB, are its potential audience. Nostalgia in the form of nougat for a generation that grew up with hard and soft? Maybe, but let's not act like sociologists when talking about Huesitos nougat, another of the hits of the season.
The creation is by Valor and although it is not surprising - crunchy chocolate, after all - we did find it nice and attractive. It comes in three versions with white, dark and milk chocolate. If our home market analysis works, it will be one of the most successful. And, furthermore, it is one of those that everyone likes.
We continue in the candy sector because Torrons Vicens is the brand that best handles this media nougat that attracts attention for its flavors. Something that combines with a more traditional range and with those made with Albert Adrià. This year, by the way, adds to the long list one with cream and pecans in the Cantonese style, very delicious, and another with mandarin and yuzu that will delight those who avoid sweeter nougats.
But here we have come to talk about Chupa Chups nougat. Colorful and very sweet, look for that recognizable flavor of the cream and strawberry Chupa Chups that we all have anchored somewhere in our memories. Gets it? Yes, but in the end it reminds us more of other strawberry and cream nougats than the flavor of a Chupa Chups. Perfect to put on the table at Christmas and become the center of attention.
Although in this year's range of Aldi supermarkets we find a new premium range made by a well-known nougat firm and options as good as Lemon Pie or "Vanilla Bourbon with salted caramel" - we loved this one - , in the search for rare combinations you have to stop at fried corn. The presence of kikos is, by the way, quite generous (11.6% we read) and they are noticeable when biting. As expected, combining chocolate with something crunchy and salty works great.
Speaking of salty nougat, let's go with the absolute star of this Christmas. Although after last year's Donuts it seemed difficult to overcome, Torrons Vicens has achieved it with the invaluable help of Enrique Tomás. The result is, attention, the first and only ham nougat in the universe. And how is it? Curious would be the quick answer. It smells like ham, at first it is sweeter than anything else, but after waiting a few seconds you can appreciate the saltiness and the ham flavor.
But does it really have ham or is it aroma? He takes it. According to the ingredients list, 11% ham shavings. Little joke. Another perfect option to make a statement at family lunches and dinners. It is not a nougat to repeat and eat half a tablet, but it is better than we expected.
In this range that we can call pig nougat - literally - torrezno cannot be missing. Actually, it is not new because it was presented last year, but it did not arrive in time for our tasting. So this time we didn't want it to get away from us.
Available in three versions with dark, white or milk chocolate, we opted for the last two, because in the first the chocolate prevails too much and covers up the crunchy and salty pieces of torrezno, which is what we want from this Turrezno. Again, good to try and satisfy curiosity, but in moderation.
We add to this savory selection that the same goes for the dessert as the hors d'oeuvres, the Tête de Moine nougat presented by I D Desserts together with Jon Cake. With a spectacular design that reproduces in detail the shape of this Swiss cheese, it includes a plastic gyrolle so that the cut is in flowers, like real cheese.
In addition to being surprising in its shape, the result is magnificent, with the flavor of the cheese very present and combined with high-quality chocolate. The bad news is that it is a limited edition, available only in the Jon Cake store
By the way, the author of Barcelona's best-known cheesecakes will also make a special Christmas nougat version. And, speaking of cheesecake but in a sweeter version, El Almendro this year returns home with something more than hard and soft nougat.
It has teamed up with Cacao Sampaka to create a range of flavors such as cheesecake with dulce de leche, which we really liked: powerful, rich, almost addictive. The pistachio and almond one is also good and for lovers of Crema Ruavieja, you can now also have it in nougat format as part of this new select range.
Beyond this range of more original and even in some cases striking nougats, in the world of more artisanal nougats we also find interesting new developments. We are talking, of course, about other types of products and other prices.
Lluc Crusellas, the best chocolatier in the world, recently launched Eukarya, his own range of chocolates that also includes a pistachio nougat that is one of our favorites this year. It also offers a kiko nougat with an intense golden and wafer color.
We jumped to Madrid to try the always interesting nougats from Pastelería Mallorca, which last year beat us with the chocolate palmeritas one. It's still there, with a more stylized design for this year, and other flavors are added, such as caramel truffle with Ibiza salt - very creamy on the inside and a powerful caramel flavor - and almond and orange, lighter.
Return to Barcelona to visit the veteran Bombonería Pons, and discover their Cuban nougat (with broken wafer) and also try the one they make with black vermouth, which adds an interesting touch.
