Turkish Delight- The Luxurious Taste of The Orient |
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Written by lexisclick
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Thursday, 08 January 2009 |
It may come as a surprise to some in this world where were used to discovering that nothing is as it seems to learn that Turkish Delight really is Turkish! Not only that but it remains extremely popular in its country of origin. You may find that somehow reassuring.
Turkish delight doesnt only delight Turkish palates. All the countries in the Balkan region have their own variations as does Greece. Not surprisingly Cyprus, with its Turkish region is another centre for the confection.
In Turkey its called, lokum or lokoum, and its known to have been made and enjoyed there since the 15th Century. Its thought that it originally developed from a Persian confection called, ahbisa, which is a sweet jelly.
Lokum is a jelly like substance which basically consists of starch and sugar. Its often rather sticky and is usually cut into small cubes dusted with either copra or icing sugar to stop the cubes sticking together. Rose Turkish delight is simply the same mixture with rosewater added as a flavouring which also gives it its pale pink appearance. Lemon is also used to add flavour.
Various items can be added to Turkish delight to create different varieties, small bits of nuts such as pistachio, walnuts or hazelnuts. Cinnamon or mint are often added to delight Turkish people and foreigners alike.
When lokum was first manufactured in Turkey all those years ago it was made using water and flour for the binding agents together with honey and molasses to provide the sweetness. It wasnt until the 19th Century that a well established manufacturer in Istanbul introduced the use of sugar and starch and created the recipe that is still used to produce the Turkish delight that we know today.
This luxurious taste of the Orient remained in the Orient, or at any rate in the Middle East and the Balkans right up until the 19th Century. It wasnt generally known in the western world until then. It was a British traveller who found himself spending some time in Istanbul and he came across locum, tried it and liked it. In fact he developed such a taste for the confection that before he left Turkey to return home to London he bought cases of the stuff and had it shipped to Britain.
This enterprising chap obviously realised that other people back home would like lokum too. He gave it the name, Turkish Delight, and it very quickly caught on. The popularity of Turkish delight spread far and wide and it became a highly sought after delicacy both in Britain and all across the continent of Europe. The sad thing about this story is that now no one seems to have any idea who this fellow was. We dont know his name or anything about him apart from the fact that he introduced Turkish Delight to Britain and Europe. Not knowing his name doesnt alter the fact that we owe him a debt of gratitude for bringing us this delightful confection.
Since then the popularity of Turkish delight and Rose Turkish delight has spread all over the world. Its also made all over the world too for no-one has ever sought protected geographical indication status for the product. Unlike champagne and many other national or regional named products, Turkish delight can be made anywhere and still be called, Turkish Delight. Protection is finally being sought for one version, loukoumi, which is made in Cyprus.
It may be the fact that lokum has been made for centuries in so many countries in the Balkans that deterred the Turkish manufacturers from pursuing any brand protection for their product. Each version being simply a local variation on the same basic sweet might well have made it difficult. Maybe they were just proud that their product carried the name of Turkey around the world and were flattered to have it copied.
Whatever the reasons it has meant that the name, Turkish Delight has become a generic term for the confection, certainly in the west, and a by-word for Eastern luxury. Actually The West , in this connection doesnt quite mean what its usually taken to mean. Here it means Britain and the continent of Europe where Turkish delight is so well known and loved for its hints of the mysteries of the Orient.
Surprisingly Turkish delight is nowhere near as available nor so well known in either Canada or the USA. Its possible to find it, but it doesnt enjoy anything like the same level of popularity. Its the same in South America but you will find it in Brazil where immigrants from Lebanon brought it with them.
So lay back and enjoy your Turkish Delight with its overtones of Eastern eroticism and decadence. Just thank that unknown Brit who first brought it back here.
About the author Chocol8 specialise in delicious Turkish Delight, hand finished Belgian chocolates and continental confectionaries, delivered in stunning handmade packaging. All their sweets come in our bespoke packaging, making it a perfect gift at any time of the year.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 09 January 2009 )
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