La Nougaterie is a unique confectionery shop offering a wide array of homemade treats.
PRODUCTS
La Nougaterie offers its delicious nougat as well as a vast range of artisanal sweets. You'll find meringue, marshmallow, honey moons, spreads and jams, bouchons de l'île, butters (apple, blueberry, etc.), and nougats in every shape and form. All the products are made by hand in Saint-Pierre-de-l’Île-d’Orléans.
ARTISANS
Owners Patrick Augier and Caroline Marelli, who both hail from Europe, form a great team both at work and in life. They are truly passionate about confectionery, and have been involved in the cooking and pastry business for over 35 years.
They have lived in the province of Québec since 2006, and opened their first boutique, Ô Petites Douceurs du Quartier, two years later. It featured local products, made-in-Québec creations, and, as the name suggests, "little sweets.” They subsequently decided to develop their own recipes, and the store was renamed La Nougaterie Québec and relocated to Île d'Orléans to further develop production. Since then, the owners have been lovingly concocting their sweet treats with the help of Cécile, their master confectioner and chocolatier.
THE HISTORY OF NOUGAT
A soft and creamy confection dating back to the days of Antiquity, nougat is made from egg whites, honey, and almonds. Back then, it was made in the Orient with almonds, honey, and spices. Nougat was also known to the Greeks, who made it with walnuts.
Various varieties, hard and soft alike, have appeared over the years. Real nougat, i.e., nougat as we know it today, appeared in the mid-18th century. Egg whites, melted together with honey and sugar, were added to lighten the dough.
This storied product can be sampled today at La Nougaterie in the Petit Champlain district.
