Turkish Delight

The distinctiveness of Turkish delight sets it apart from similar varieties found in other countries. 

Turks excel in enhancing its flavor by adding ingredients like pistachios, chopped dates, hazelnuts, and walnuts, along with the aromatic essences of rose water, orange blossom water, or lemon, in addition to the fundamental components of starch and colored sugar.

This delicious dessert is very popular in the Balkan countries and several Arab countries.

Turkish Delight: Where it All Began?

Legend has it that the Turkish Delight originated when one of the sultans in Turkey gathered pastry experts in his kingdom and asked them to make a dessert to add to his famous collection of secret recipes, after extensive culinary research, the Turkish Delight was born and spread to become one of the most famous Turkish sweets.

The First Turkish Delight Shops:

Turks remember the inception of the first Turkish delight shops in 1776, under Sultan Abdul Hamid I's rule. Haji Bekir Efendi, a skilled confectioner from Anatolia, opened a small store in Istanbul's city center, specializing in Turkish Delight. 

His shop quickly gained both wealth and popularity among the locals. Today, Turkish delight stores are widespread in markets across all cities and towns in Turkey, serving as a traditional treat and a sought-after souvenir for tourists.

Best Flavors and Serving Ideas for Turkish Delight:

At first orange blossom water was used, and then flower essence, Jasmine, citrus juices, blackberries, and eggs were added for crystallization. 

Flavors characterize all the recipes of Turkish Delights with other cherished local traditional desserts.

Turkish delight is shaped into cubes or rectangles, sprinkled with sugar or cream of tartar to prevent sticking, and commonly served with Turkish coffee. 

A trendy tradition emerged among women who exchanged these delightful treats, wrapped with special lace napkins resembling rings. This custom spread to courtiers, as documented in traditional love songs.

How Turkish Delight Became a Global Favorite?

The global popularity of Turkish delight grew as it spread across the British Empire. While visiting Istanbul, an unnamed British man purchased numerous boxes of Turkish delight and shipped them to the United Kingdom. 

The dessert gained fame as the most well-known Turkish sweet, and the name "Turkish delight" became widely recognized, a name that persists to this day.

Turkish delight is widely available in Spain, especially in shops and pastry stores offering traditional Romanian products. Legend has it that the renowned Spanish painter Pablo Picasso consumed it daily to aid his concentration during work.

Additionally, there are rumors that the pistachio-filled variety was a favorite of both the French leader Napoleon Bonaparte and the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

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