JIJONA ALICANTE

Jijona, in the sierras behind Alicante, is a mecca for the sweet toothed. This everyday little town, with its old castle and narrow streets, is the home of turron, an almond and honey based nougat traditionally eaten at Christmas-time. Probably of Moorish origin, its manufacture has a long history in Jijona and it is still produced by over 30 small-scale family businesses on an artisan basis, with many of the production processes done by hand. It comes in a bewildering variety, ranging from soft and gooey through slightly crisp to tooth cracking caramel, studded With glistening almonds. You can visit one of the genuine family businesses and there is a small museum, Turrones el Lobo, devoted to ancient production methods.