At this point, it is impossible to trace exactly how and when marzipan came to Lübeck. Although many documents show that marzipan was consumed as early as 1530, “Lübeck marzipan ” was not coined as a quality term in Lübeck until around 1800. During this time, around 135 marzipan producers (mainly cake shops) in Lübeck alone dedicated themselves to the task of establishing the good reputation of Lübeck marzipan. This tradition led to the founding of Verein zum Schutz des Herkunftsgewährzeichenes Lübecker Marzipan e. V. [Association for the Protection of the Lübeck Marzipan Guarantee of Origin] in 1974. It initially had eight members. The Marzipan Association is dedicated to preserving and safeguarding the quality and culture of Lübeck marzipan.

The designation “Lübecker Marzipan” is a protected geographical indication (PGI) registered in the EU register and is subject to special quality and production requirements.

Current member companies of the Marzipan Association:

· Erasmi & Carstens GmbH & Co. KG
· J.G. Niederegger GmbH & Co. KG
· Lübecker Marzipan-Fabrik v. Minden & Bruhns GmbH & Co. KG

The Marzipan Association was founded on 14 August 1974 by eight Lübeck marzipan manufacturers.

The aim of the Association is to monitor and protect the “Lübecker Marzipan” mark of origin at home and abroad. Through the name “Lübecker Marzipan”, the people of Lübeck not only defined an area (Lübeck and the neighbouring municipalities of Bad Schwartau and Stockelsdorf), but also introduced quality regulations.

For other manufacturers in Germany, the name “Lübecker Marzipan” was a generic term that could be used for their products also – much to the annoyance of the Lübeck-based manufacturers. The Association then obtained protection of the term exclusively for the Lübeck manufacturers through a lawsuit – not least because an opinion poll had shown that consumers very much expect products named “Lübecker Marzipan” to be made in Lübeck.

The court ruling in favour of the Lübeck manufacturers was handed down on 26 November 1982. Since that day, only manufacturers based in Lübeck and the surrounding municipalities – and even then, only those who submit to the strict quality guidelines of the term “Lübecker Marzipan” – are entitled to use this designation for their products.