Turkish delight | Definition, Candy, & Turkey (2024)

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Also known as: lokum

Turkish delight | Definition, Candy, & Turkey (1)

Turkish delight

Also called:
lokum
Related Topics:
candy

Turkish delight, jellied confection with origins in the late 18th century.

This soft jewel-like sugar treat became popular among the people of Turkey—who know it as lokum—about the turn of the 19th century. The confectioner Hacı Bekir Effendi, who arrived in Constantinople (now Istanbul) from Anatolia in 1776, is often credited with its invention. Some claim that an Ottoman sultan was so enamoured with it that he deemed Hacı Bekir the palace’s chief confectioner.

Turkish delight | Definition, Candy, & Turkey (2)

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Until refined sugar reached the region at the end of the 19th century, the sweets made there had been a sticky mix of honey or dried fruit and wheat flour. Lokum transformed the culinary scene. It earned world fame from the 1830s when an English traveler brought a sample of “Turkish delight” back home. The author C.S. Lewis played up the sweet’s alluring properties by giving it an important role in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, in which the child Edmund becomes so intoxicated by Turkish delight that he betrays his siblings in an effort to get more.

The sugar-dusted jelly that is Turkish delight collapses into a sticky paste in the mouth. Rose water provides a heady fragrance and floral taste. Lemon, mint, coconut, and nuts are common additions.

Dani Valent Gregory Lewis McNamee

Turkish delight | Definition, Candy, & Turkey (2024)

FAQs

Turkish delight | Definition, Candy, & Turkey? ›

Turkish delight

Turkish delight
loukoum m (plural loukoums) Turkish delight, locoum [from 19th c.]
https://en.wiktionary.org › wiki › loukoum
or lokum (/lɔ. kʊm/) is a family of confections based on a gel of starch and sugar. Premium varieties consist largely of chopped dates, pistachios, hazelnuts or walnuts bound by the gel; traditional varieties are often flavored with rosewater, mastic gum, bergamot orange, or lemon.

What is Turkish delight called in the USA? ›

In most of the world, "Aplets & Cotlets" were based on a treat called lokum, a word derived from Arabic, but the British and Americans know it as "Turkish delight."

What is Turkish delight candy made of? ›

Turkish delight also called lokum is a confection made of a gel of starch and sugar flavoring fruits and nuts. Premium varieties consist of pistachios, hazelnuts, walnuts, dates bound by a chewy gel-like concoction, and natural flavorings such as rosewater, mastic, pomegranate, bergamot orange, or lemon.

What is the most popular Turkish delight flavor? ›

The list of the most popular flavors of Turkish delights, is topped by the pistachio Turkish delight. The reason behind its immense popularity among Middle Eastern desserts is due to the combination of crunchy, sweet and chewy texture of traditional Turkish delights with premium pistachios all the way from Turkey!

Do they sell Turkish delight in Turkey? ›

Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir

The oldest producer of Turkish delight, if not the oldest business in Turkey, this confectionary started life in 1777. Five generations later, the recipes for the sensuous splendor that is their Turkish delight are housed in their original shop in Eminönü.

Why is Turkish delight expensive? ›

Our Turkish Delight Comes From Istanbul

Our Turkish delight may not be the cheapest on the internet, but when it comes to Turkish delight, you get what you pay for. Making delicious, authentic Turkish delight is a labor of love and a lot of time and effort goes into each batch.

Is Turkish delight healthy? ›

Calories: Turkish Delight is calorie-dense, meaning it provides a high number of calories in a relatively small portion, primarily from sugars and carbohydrates. Dietary Fibre: Traditional Turkish Delight contains little to no dietary fibre essential for healthy digestion.

Why is Turkish delight so famous? ›

Turkish delight holds deep cultural significance in Turkey, Iran, and across the Middle East and Eastern Europe. It symbolizes hospitality, generosity, and celebration. In Turkey, lokum is a staple during festive occasions such as weddings, where it symbolizes sweetness and prosperity in the couples' life together.

Do you refrigerate Turkish delight? ›

Although it's important to keep your Turkish delight cool, don't store it in the fridge. Your refrigerator will draw more moisture out of your Turkish delight, causing it to sweat even after it has stabilized at room temperature. Turkish delight is best stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.

What does Turkish delight taste like? ›

What does Turkish delight taste like? This traditional treat comes in a huge variety of delicious flavours. Whether you adore pomegranate, pistachio, or mint, you can get your hands on a wonderful range of fruit, nut, and herb-based aromas. The most popular flavour is rosewater.

Which is the best brand of Turkish delight? ›

Established in 1777, Haci Bekir is one of the oldest and most respected Turkish delight brands. The company was founded by Haci Bekir Efendi, who brought a new approach to the production of Turkish delight by introducing a softer, smoother texture to the confectionery.

Is Turkish delight meant to be chewy? ›

The Turkish name for this confection, lokma or lokum, means morsel, and these sweet squares are exactly that: a delicately chewy treat, perfectly sweetened, and infused with the fascinating and sweet flavor of either rosewater, bergamot, lemon, or mastic.

What is Turkish delight called in USA? ›

Turkish Delight, also known as Lokum, is a delicately flavored, fragrant, chewy jelly candy that has been a hallmark of my homeland, Turkey, since Ottoman times.

What is Turkish delight called in Turkey? ›

Turkish delight, jellied confection with origins in the late 18th century. This soft jewel-like sugar treat became popular among the people of Turkey—who know it as lokum—about the turn of the 19th century.

Why is my Turkish delight sweating? ›

One reason why this candy may sweat is that it was not left to sit long enough before cutting and dusting with the cornstarch-sugar mixture. Make sure to leave the Turkish delight at room temperature for at least 8 hours; if your kitchen is hot and humid, you should place it in the refrigerator.

What's another name for Turkish delight? ›

Turkish Delight, also known as Lokum, is a delicately flavored, fragrant, chewy jelly candy that has been a hallmark of my homeland, Turkey, since Ottoman times.

What is Turkish delight comparable to? ›

Turkish delight was an early precursor to the jelly bean, inspiring its gummy interior.

Is Big Turk the same as Turkish delight? ›

Big Turk is a candy bar manufactured by Nestlé in Canada, that consists of dark magenta Turkish delight coated in a chocolate coating.

Is baklava Turkish delight? ›

Baklava is the quintessential Turkish treat, invented in the kitchens of the Topkapı Palace for the enjoyment of sultans. Layers of flaky dough separated by melted butter are filled with crushed nuts and baked, then drenched in honey or syrup.

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