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Istanbul’s Sweetest Side

I have something of a sweet tooth and adore anything sweet and sugary. Turkey didn’t disappoint when it came to sweet treats and confectionery, some of it too sweet even for me, and that’s a first… 

The Spice Bazaar in Istanbul had stalls piled high with endless varieties of Turkish sweets and sugary scrumptiousness.

Sweets in Istanbul's Spice Bazaar

All sorts of varieties sold by this stall (below) note the Turkish Viagra right in the middle – also seen elsewhere labelled Ottoman Aphrodisiac!

Sweets in Istanbul's Spice Bazaar

 Turkish Delight

Lokum, to use it’s Turkish name, has been produced since the 16th century and it’s basically made of solidified sugar and pectin. 

Turkish Delight in Turkey is firmer than I’ve had in the UK, slightly more chewy and much subtler.  As well as the lemon and rosewater flavours there are dozens of variations on a theme; pistachio, almond, walnut, chocolate, ginger, clove and coconut to name but a few. 

My particular favourite was pomegranate with pistachios. 

Turkish sweet treats and Turkish Delight in particular are some of the best things to buy in Turkey.

Baklava

Baklava is a highly syrupy pastry made with layers of phyllo (filo) pastry, chopped nuts, syrup, and cut into cubes. It comes with a variety of luscious fillings, such as pistachio, hazelnuts and almonds.  There’s also Kunefe, a ‘shredded wheat’ variety, of Baklava which looks like little bird nests or rolls stuffed with nuts and other goodies.  Are your fillings screaming yet?

Baklava Pyramid, Istanbul

There are many confectioners in The Sultanahmet where you can try different varieties of Turkish Delight before having a box made up of favourites.  

Prices ranged from 38TL – 68TL per kilo and boxes could be bought in various sizes from a quarter to 1 kilo.  And, in case you’re wondering, they did all make it home to friends and family!

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istanbul-sweets

mytube

Friday 27th of February 2015

Nice I like the baklava :)_

Suzanne Jones

Saturday 28th of February 2015

The Baklava is delish - I really like the Turkish Delight too ;)

The Fundamental Alchemist

Tuesday 24th of September 2013

Love. This. Post. You totally hooked me with that delicious featured image!

Suzanne Jones

Sunday 27th of September 2015

They tasted as good as they looked!

Suzanne Courtney

Tuesday 24th of September 2013

Don't they look delicious! Thanks for dropping by :)

meghasarin

Wednesday 28th of August 2013

WOW! I so wanna go here one day…

love http://www.meghasarin.com

Suzanne Courtney

Thursday 29th of August 2013

I hope you do - and soon!

Sand In My Suitcase

Tuesday 13th of August 2013

We luved all the baklava on our recent visit to Turkey! Come to think of it, we luved all the food. Turkish cuisine must be one of the best in the world... You can read a little about our sultan feasts in our story on "Turkish Delight: Part I - Istanbul" http://www.sandinmysuitcase.com/turkish-delight-bodrum/

Suzanne Courtney

Tuesday 13th of August 2013

The food is amazing in Turkey - in fact it's an amazing country. So many unusual sites to visit - and then there's Istanbul, Wow!

Turkeywithstuffin

Monday 5th of August 2013

Sugar rush indeed and that's without the huge spoonfuls they put in their tiny glasses of cay!! - Şeker (sugar) Bayram coming up in a few days - You and your sweet tooth would love it here then :-)

Suzanne Courtney

Monday 5th of August 2013

Wow that would be suger overload after all that fasting - When I had cay in Turkey I asked for it without sugar and more than a few eyebrows were raised!

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