Florentines

Florentines refers to inhabitants of Florence, the capital of Tuscany in central Italy. The term denotes residents or people with ties to the city. Florence is a historic center of culture, commerce, and art, especially during the Renaissance. It was the home of influential families such as the Medici, and contributed to the development of banking, literature, and the visual arts. The Florentine dialect belongs to the Tuscan branch of the Italian language. Today the city remains a major cultural and tourist hub, with a landscape of medieval and Renaissance architecture, museums, and churches that reflect its historical importance.

Florentines also denotes a type of biscuit or cookie widely associated with Italian and British baking. Florentines are delicate, lace-like cookies made from nuts (typically almonds) and candied fruit bound with sugar or honey and a fat such as butter or cream. The mixture is spread thin and baked until caramelized and crisp, then cooled. They are commonly finished by dipping one side in chocolate. They are named after the city of Florence, though their exact origin is uncertain, and the pastry form is produced in many countries.