Food
Turrón
Christmas simply wouldn't be the same if we didn't treat ourselves to some confectionery; and with our roots in South America, we're never ones to shy away from a sweet snack. In this blog, we tell you more about Turrón, talking more about what it actually is, its origins, and why we love it so much, Fazendeiros. (Pssst, we think you might love it too).
What is Turrón?
Turrón is a is a nougat confection that originates in Southern Europe, specifically Spain and Italy. The key ingredient of this treat is almonds, and is often enjoyed throughout the festive period in Spain, Italy and Latin America.There are actually several different variations, with the most common being the 'hard' version, with large pieces of toasted almonds and sometimes other nuts running throughout. This type is delicious, but since it's very brittle, it's not for everybody. The other most common variation is 'soft', where the almonds are reduced to a paste - oil is added and it creates a smooth, chewy texture that tastes just as fantastic.
It's sweet yet rich, with the almonds providing a very unique flavour that you won't ever find in anything else. The fact that there are several versions that exist with many recipes around means there is bound to be a turrón you enjoy.
Origins
The name is thought to have derived from the Latin 'torrere' which means 'to toast'. Food historians believe that it originally came from the Arabic peninsula, with the first recorded reference being in an 11th century document written by an Arab doctor. Turrón is thought to have become widespread in the 15th century, especially in the city of Jijona, north of Alicante.The popularity of turrón grew pretty quickly, and now you can find it pretty much everywhere, although it is still the most popular in Spain, Italy and South America.
Modern Turrón
Even though demand has driven most modern day turrón to be mass produced in factories, many companies and factories still make it to traditional recipes, ensuring they preserve the heritage of the confection.Unsurprisingly, Spain are by far the largest exporters, with South America being the second biggest market - we truly can't resist it at this time of year. You'll see it at every table during the festive period back in Argentina.
Nowadays, turrón is one of the most common treats to be offered over Christmas. In 2010, Alicante produced over 15 million tonnes of it! That's certainly enough to go around.
If you fancy making some for yourself, you can view this great recipe for soft turrón.
Have you ever tried turrón? Which version of it is your favourite? We'd love to hear your thoughts over on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or in the comments below.
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Reservation Terms
Online Reservations
Tables of up to 10 guests can be booked straight from our website (9 for Fazenda Birmingham and Edinburgh).For larger tables please contact [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] and our Reception Teams will be happy to help with your enquiry.
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Dress Code
Our dress code is “elegant smart casual”. We do not require gentlemen to wear jacket and tie, however, we do not permit sportswear (gym wear) or beachwear.Children
We welcome children of all ages and believe we provide a great atmosphere for families to enjoy the restaurant experience. In the evening if guests wish to make a reservation with children under the age of 8 please do so for no later than 6pm (reservation durations vary depending on the number of guests so please note the reservation cannot go beyond 8pm). When making a reservation please count children in the total number of guests and let us know if you need a high chair or space for a pram/pushchair.
Please note: We politely request that children are always supervised and remain seated at the table to allow our teams and other guests to move around the restaurant safely and maintain physical distance.
Lastly, please note that children under 16 years of age need to be accompanied by an adult to dine.Cancellations & Deposits
We might require card details for some reservations. Your card will not be charged upon booking and your details will be securely processed by Stripe.If you no longer wish to keep your reservation, please let us know with as much notice as possible. Should you cancel your reservation or reduce the booking size less than 24 hours before your reservation date and time, a charge of £10.00 per guest will be processed.
Halal Selection
Halal reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance.Allergens
The team at Fazenda take food safety very seriously and particularly so when it concerns allergens in food. On our website you can view allergen information on our Menu page. When visiting us you'll have access to it via our menus and also on our Market Table.Smoking
In line with legislation passed in 2007 Fazenda is a no-smoking restaurant. We do not allow e-cigarettes inside either.Pets & Guide Dogs
Animals are not accepted unless assisting guests with additional needs.Photography
Guests are allowed to take photos and videos for personal use inside the private dining room, gardens and on the terrace. At the moment we are not able to accommodate any photography requests for professional or educational purposes until further notice.FAQs
**What are your opening days and times? **
To view each restaurant opening times please click on Locations and choose your local Fazenda.Are you accepting walk-ins?
We are now accepting walk-ins once again.How can I make a reservation?
You can make a reservation via our website or by contacting your local Fazenda by clicking on Locations.Do I need to pay a deposit for my reservation?
We might require card details for some reservations. Your card will not be charged upon booking and your details will be securely processed by Stripe.If you no longer wish to keep your reservation, please let us know with as much notice as possible. Should you cancel your reservation or reduce the booking size less than 24 hours before your reservation date and time, a charge of £10.00 per guest will be processed.
Can I have drinks at the bar?
Absolutely, and reservations are not needed in advance for our bar areas.Are Christmas reservations available?
They are indeed, via our reservations page.