Chocolate Guide · Dragees
Dragees are hard-shelled, bite-sized candies made by coating a filling such as almonds, hazelnuts, chocolate, or chickpeas with multiple layers of sugar or chocolate in rotating ovens. Their name comes from the French word "dragée".
The best-known types of almond dragees in Türkiye are almond candy and chocolate-covered almond dragees. Silver or gold-plated almond dragees are indispensable in engagement, wedding, and baby shower trays.
The silver almonds on the engagement tray, the colorful candies offered as holiday treats, the tiny shiny balls on the cake... They all have one name: dragees. In this guide, we've explained what dragees are, how they are made, their different types, how they differ from almond candy, and why they have been a treat for happy occasions for centuries.
What does "dragee" mean?
The word "dragee" comes from the French word "dragée" and refers to bite-sized candies coated in sugar or chocolate. The filling can be almonds, hazelnuts, chocolate, chickpeas, or raisins; the coating can be sweet, chocolatey, sugar-free, or sour. What distinguishes dragees from other candies is their thin but firm and shiny outer shell.
The word isn't only used in confectionery: in pharmacy, tablets coated in sugar are also called dragees. In this article, we'll discuss dragees, which are a type of confectionery.
How are dragees made?
The dragee is prepared using a coating method called "drageeing," which is carried out in rotary boilers:
- The filling is prepared: Almonds, hazelnuts, or chickpeas are roasted; for chocolate dragees, small pieces of chocolate are used as the core.
- It is rotated in the cauldron: The filling is placed in a continuously rotating cauldron.
- Layered: Sugar syrup or melted chocolate is added little by little to the rotating material. After each layer dries, the next layer is added.
- The shell thickens: The process is repeated dozens of times until the shell reaches the desired thickness. The smooth and round appearance of the dragee comes from this patient process.
- Color and shine are added: Edible colorings are added in the final layers, and the dragee is polished to achieve its familiar shine.
Types of Dragees
The most well-known types of dragees
| Sort | Interior materials and coatings | Where is it used? |
|---|---|---|
| Dragee | Almonds, sugar coated. | Wedding, birth, holiday treats |
| Chocolate-covered almond dragees | Almond, chocolate and a thin layer of glaze | Engagement trays, wedding trays, gift boxes |
| Hazelnut dragees | Coated with hazelnuts, chocolate, or sugar. | Treats, snacks |
| Roasted chickpea dragee | Roasted chickpeas, sugar coated. | Traditional treat |
| Raisin dragees | Raisins, chocolate coated. | Snack |
| Colorful chocolate dragees | Chocolate, colorful sugar shells | Children's treats, cake decorating |
| Silver and gold dragees | Sugar, metallic-looking coating | Cake and cookie decorating |
Silver and gold-plated almond dragees are the most preferred choice for engagement, betrothal, and wedding ceremonies. Presented in crystal glasses or on an elegant tray, the dragees attract attention not only with the treat itself but also with their presentation.
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Crystal goblet · Gold and silver 16-star chocolate and silver-plated almond dragees in a cut crystal goblet. -
Cream leather tray · 24 chocolates with raisins and hazelnuts, gold and silver dragees, floral tray. -
White orchid and chocolate sphere: Orchids and chocolate spheres with dragees in a gold pot together.
The Difference Between Dragees and Almond Candies
Almond candy is a type of dragee; however, not all dragees are almond candy. Almond candy is made by coating almonds with sugar and is usually in pastel shades of white, pink, or blue. Dragee, on the other hand, is a broader concept: the filling can be hazelnuts, chocolate, or chickpeas, and the coating can be sugar or chocolate.
Comparison of almond candy and chocolate-covered almond dragees.
| Dragee | Chocolate-covered almond dragees | |
|---|---|---|
| Covering | Sugar only | Chocolate and a thin layer of glaze |
| Tissue | Firm and crispy | Thin on the outside, soft and chocolatey on the inside. |
| Taste | Sweet and simple | Chocolatey and rich |
| Colors | White, pink, blue pastel shades | Silver, gold, bronze, pastel |
The Story of the Dragee: Why is it a Treat for Happy Days?
Serving almonds coated in sugar on happy occasions is a very old tradition. According to an unverified account, almonds coated in honey were served at weddings and births in Ancient Rome. With sugar becoming more readily available in the 15th century, almonds began to be coated in sugar instead of honey.
- France: The city of Verdun in northeastern France is famous for its dragees known as "dragées de Verdun".
- Italy: The city of Sulmona in the Abruzzo region is known for its sugar-coated almonds (confetti) and the decorations made with them.
- Mediterranean and Middle Eastern: Sugar-coated almonds are often given in packs of five at weddings; each almond represents one of the following wishes: happiness, health, longevity, abundance, and prosperity.
- Portugal: Sugar-coated almonds are a traditional Easter treat.
- In Turkey: Almond candies and dragees are offered at engagements, weddings, circumcisions, and births; they symbolize sharing happy news with a sweet treat.
Where are coated tablets used?
- Engagement, betrothal, and wedding trays: Chocolates fill the spaces between the chocolates and add sparkle to the tray. We've explained how to choose engagement and betrothal chocolates in our guide on what constitutes a perfect engagement chocolate .
- Wedding favors: They are distributed to guests in tulle bags or small boxes.
- Birth treats: Personalized chocolates are offered to celebrate the baby's birth.
- Holiday visits: Served to guests in crystal glasses or sugar bowls.
- Cake and cookie decorating: Small silver and gold dragees add an elegant finishing touch to cakes.
Our designs combine flowers and candies on the same tray, bringing together hospitality and gift-giving:
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Orange Luxe mirror tray. Half floral, half with a lid and compartment filled with chocolates and dragees. -
Colorful Luxe mirror tray with colorful flowers and chocolates and dragees in a compartment with a lid. -
Gold 40-star tray: 40 star-shaped chocolates and gold-plated almond dragees.
Chocolate trays with dragees. Check out our engagement, wedding, and holiday trays prepared with silver and gold almond dragees. Same-day delivery within Istanbul.
Chocolate-covered almond drageesHow to Store Dragees?
- Cool and dry: Store the dragees in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, in a sealed container.
- Keep away from moisture: Moisture softens the candy shell, fades the colors, and causes blemishes on the surface. Therefore, choose a cool cupboard instead of the refrigerator.
- Odor-free: Chocolate dragees easily absorb surrounding odors; keep them away from spice and detergent cabinets.
- Keep away from heat: Chocolate dragees soften and may stick together in hot weather; do not leave them in the car during summer months.
Our large boxes and trays, mostly prepared with dragees, are perfect for large gatherings:
White and gold glass box · 80 pieces · 80 chocolates and approximately 80 gold-plated almond dragees.-
The "Star 90" glass box contains 90 star-shaped chocolates and approximately 90 silver-plated almond dragees. -
Silver 40-star tray contains 40 star-shaped chocolates and silver-coated almond dragees.
Price ranges for dragee designs in the Ribbon Flowers collection (October 2026)
| December | What to buy? |
|---|---|
| 4,300 – 5,300 TL | Crystal glasses with almond candies, floral Luxe mirror trays |
| 7,500 – 10,000 TL | 40-piece star trays, 24-piece leather tray, orchid and sphere chocolates. |
| Around 13,000 TL | Glass boxes containing 80-90 dragees. |
If you'd like to add flowers to your chocolate, the last order time for same-day delivery within Istanbul is 2 PM; for Beşiktaş, Şişli, Sarıyer, Beyoğlu, and Kağıthane, it's 5 PM.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tablets
What are dragees?
Dragees are hard-shelled, bite-sized candies made by coating a filling such as almonds, hazelnuts, chocolate, chickpeas, or raisins with multiple layers of sugar or chocolate. The best-known examples in Türkiye are almond candy and chocolate-covered almond dragees.
What does "draje" mean?
The word "dragee" comes from the French word "dragée" and refers to bite-sized candies coated in sugar or chocolate. In pharmacy, tablets coated in sugar are also called dragees.
How are dragees made?
Dragees are made in rotating kettles. While the filling (e.g., almonds) is rotating in the kettle, sugar syrup or melted chocolate is added little by little; each layer is dried, and the process is repeated until the shell reaches the desired thickness. In the final stage, the dragees are polished.
What is the difference between dragees and almond candies?
Almond candy is a type of dragee: it's made by coating almonds in sugar. The term "dragee" is a broader concept; the filling can be hazelnuts, chocolate, or chickpeas, and the coating can be sugar or chocolate.
What are chocolate-covered almond dragees?
Chocolate-covered almond dragees are made by coating almonds in chocolate and then finishing them with a thin layer of sugar or glaze. They offer a combination of the crunchiness of the almond and the softness of the chocolate.
Are silver and gold candies edible?
In Turkey and most European countries, silver and gold-colored candies sold as food are edible. They get their color from edible coatings. In the US, however, metal-containing food coatings have been banned since 1906, so silver candies are sold there only for decorative purposes.
Why are dragees offered at engagement and betrothal ceremonies?
Serving sugar-coated almonds at weddings and births is a very old tradition. In Mediterranean countries, these almonds are usually given in packs of five and represent wishes for happiness, health, longevity, abundance, and prosperity. In Türkiye, almond dragees are also served at engagements, weddings, and births.
How should the tablets be stored?
The dragees should be stored in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, in a sealed container. Moisture softens the shell and spoils the color; therefore, a cool cupboard at room temperature is preferable to the refrigerator.
What are the different types of dragees?
Almond candy, chocolate-covered almond dragees, hazelnut dragees, chickpea dragees, raisin dragees, colorful chocolate dragees, and small silver and gold dragees used in cake decorating are among the most well-known types of dragees.
Where are coated tablets used?
Dragees are used in engagement, wedding, and other celebration trays, baby shower treats, holiday visits, and cake decorating. In chocolate trays, they fill the gaps between the chocolates, adding fullness and sparkle.
A sweet treat for happy occasions : Discover our trays of dragee chocolates for engagements, weddings, and holidays. We offer same-day delivery with your flower order .
Engagement and wedding chocolatesSources
- Wikipedia – Dragee
- Wikipedia – Dragée
- Ribbon Flowers – How to Decorate Engagement Chocolates?
Last updated: October 20, 2026. Prices are based on Ribbon Flowers selection and are subject to change as of October 2026.