Almond Paste vs Marzipan
Almond paste and marzipan are confections used to decorate pastry and cakes. Both almond paste and marzipan contains the same ingredients. However, they have many differences between them.
Both almond paste and marzipan contains almond but marzipan has more sugar content.
Almond paste is a mixture of finely ground almonds, water and sugar. It is cooked till it gets a smooth consistency. For more flavour, almond extract, orange water and rose water are added to it.
Marzipan can be called as an almond paste but almond paste cannot be labelled as Marzipan. The preparation of Marzipan is almost the same as that of the Almond paste.
When compared to almond paste, Marzipan is more pliable. Unlike almond paste, marzipan is easier to roll. Marzipan is used more for decorating and moulding. As Marzipan is more flexible, they are often used for making tiny figures like elephants and flowers.
One of the major differences that can be seen between almond paste and marzipan is in the amount of almonds used. Almond paste contains more almonds when compared to marzipan. In almond paste, 50 per cent is almond and 50 per cent is sugar. In marzipan, seventy per cent is sugar and 30 per cent is almonds.
When comparing the flavour, the almond paste has a rich flavour. This is because of the presence of more almonds.
Almond paste is mainly used for filling in cakes and pies. On the other hand marzipan is used more for decorating cakes. These are also eaten as candy.
Summary
1. Almond paste is a mixture of finely ground almonds, water and sugar. It is cooked till it gets a smooth consistency. For more flavour, almond extract, orange water and rose water are added to it.
2. Marzipan can be called as an almond paste and its preparation is almost the same as that of the paste.
3. When compared to almond paste, Marzipan is more pliable.
4. Unlike almond paste, marzipan is easier to roll.
5. Marzipan is used more for decorating and moulding. They are also more flexible.
6. In almond paste, 50 per cent is almond and 50 per cent is sugar. In marzipan, seventy per cent is sugar and 30 per cent is almonds.
7. Almond paste is mainly used for filling in cakes and pies. On the other hand marzipan is used more for decorating cakes.