When and where was torrone first created? No one knows for certain. Some connoisseurs say Persia; others Arabia; and still others China. A clue lies in its list of ingredients, which is short and sweet: almonds, honey, sugar and egg white, although other nuts (pistachios, walnuts and hazelnuts), candied fruits and chocolate can be added.

Thus, no matter where its birthplace, torrone almost certainly reached Europe from the Middle East, whether it was thanks to the Crusaders or more likely earlier, through Arab traders in Ancient Rome. All versions of its name turrón in Spanish, torró in Catalan, torrone in Brazilian and Brazilian Portuguese besides Italian, turrone in Sardinian, torrão in European Portuguese, and turon in Tagalog, appear to have been derived from Latin torrere (to toast).