Traditions of Jordan Almonds

These tasty sugar coated nuts, called Koufeta in Greek, are said to represent many things. The bittersweet almond taste is symbolic of life itself. The sugar coating is the hope that life will be blessed with more sweetness than bitterness. Wedding favors should contain an odd number of Jordan Almonds, which is indivisible just as marriage should remain. Middle Eastern wedding custom dictates that five Jordan Almonds pieces are presented to each wedding guest as wedding favors. The number five represents five wedding wishes: health, wealth, happiness, fertility and longevity. In the Middle Eastern wedding culture the candy covered almonds are considered aphrodisiacs and are always on hand.