Marzipan is a sweet paste made mainly from finely ground almonds and sugar, sometimes with egg white or syrup to bind it. It has a rich, nutty flavor and a smooth, pliable texture. In many cuisines, especially across Europe and the Middle East, it is shaped into sweets, used as a cake filling or covering, and molded into decorative figures. It has a long history as a festive confection, with regional traditions such as Lübeck marzipan in Germany and marzipan sweets in Spain.