Marcona almond is a cultivar of almond that is native to Spain, and has been long prized there for the sweet and delicate quality of its nuts. It is the most expensive cultivar of almond, and is often used in confectionery and nougat production.
In Spain, Marcona almonds are grown in the Jijona and Alicante Denominations of Origin, and are the almonds used for Marzipan de Toledo. They are also used for Aragonese guirlache and the tarta de Santiago.
Marcona almonds are a common choice for almendras fritas, fried almonds, which are a popular appetizer and tapa.