Introduction
Over the centuries, regional tastes and preferences have led to the development of the delicious sweets and desserts found across Turkey today.
Many sweets and desserts are Turkish family favourites and have become internationally famous as Turks started to migrate across the world.
This guide pays homage to modern Turkey’s dessert paradise and intends to introduces foreign travellers to the sweet delights that this country has to offer.
Key Takeaways
- We will take a brief look at the history behind Turkish sweets and desserts.
- Learn about the key ingredients in Turkish desserts.
- Cover a list of must-try Turkish desserts
- Learn about how to match Turkish desserts with the perfect beverage.
- Check out some street-food desserts and snacks.
Turkish Sweets and Desserts: A Brief History
Traditional Turkish sweets are famous for their excellent taste and rich history. The Persians, Arabs, Byzantines, and especially the Ottomans influenced their mix of flavours. Each sweet dish tells a story about Turkish life.
The Ottoman Empire’s influence
The Ottoman Empire shaped Turkish sweets and desserts into what they are today and many of these treats were eaten in the royal court. One of the best-known sweet is Baklava, loved worldwide for its layering and sweet syrup. People sometimes refer to it as the queen of Turkish sweets and was a favourite among the Ottomans.
Byzantine and Persian influences
Byzantine and Persian cultures also contributed to the development of Turkish sweets. Anatolia, in present-day Turkey, was a meeting point for many cultures and an important part of the Silk Road, which helped introduce new spices and flavours to desserts. You can taste this mix in modern-day Künefe and Turkish Delight, which use traditional rosewater from the East.
Centuries of Culinary Traditions
Generations have passed down Turkey’s food traditions, including closely guarded family secrets for making wonderful sweets and desserts. Trying popular Turkish sweets is like stepping into a story about delicious tastes and cultural mixes. The journey takes you from ancient palaces to the lively streets of modern cities such as Istanbul and Ankara.
The Flavours of Turkish Desserts
Turkish desserts have a mix of tastes from the country’s rich past, it also uses local and fresh ingredients to make the taste even better. You’ll find pistachios, hazel nuts, walnuts, pine nuts, and almonds, plus the sweetness of honey and sugar syrup. It is a combination that is difficult to resist. These ingredients make the traditional Turkish dessert stand out from others.
Nuts: Pistachios, Walnuts, and Almonds
Nuts bring a special taste to lots of Turkish sweets. They add a satisfying crunch and taste. Often, baklava and Turkish delight are full of pistachios, walnuts, and almonds. Eating these sweets isn´t exactly healthy, but at least there is some protein and beneficial fats.
Sweeteners: Honey and Sugar Syrup
Honey and sugar syrup make Turkish desserts extra sweet. Honey gives them a flowery taste, and sugar syrup makes them very sticky. They balance the nutty and spicy flavours well, but be careful; they can be addictive, especially if you have a sweet tooth like me. If you are on just a short trip to Turkey, it is fine to eat a dessert or two every day. However, if you intend to spend several months there, this could seriously add inches to your waistline .
Dairy: Milk, Cream, and Yoghurt
Milk, cream, and yoghurt make Turkish sweets creamy. Classic dishes like rice pudding and sutlac incorporate these ingredients. They add a rich and smooth taste. If you are lactose-intolerant or vegan, you will unfortunately miss out on some delicious desserts. Some people are surprised because they don´t usually find chocolate in typical Turkish dessert or sweets.
Spices and Aromatics: Cinnamon, Rosewater, and Orange Blossom Water
Spices and smells are crucial in Turkish desserts. Cinnamon makes them warm and rose and orange blossom water add a fragrant touch. These make baklava-like dishes even more special.
Fruits: Pomegranates, Figs, and Dates
Turkish sweets often use seasonal fruits, like pomegranates, for sweetness. Figs and dates add a burst of flavour and colour. You’ll find these in compotes, jams, and pastries.
Turkish Desserts and Sweets: Top Choices
Popular Turkish desserts and sweets offer a wide range of delicious treats that will make your trip to Turkey memorable. Let´s have a brief look at a list of some of the most important ones.
Baklava: A Masterpiece
Baklava is a famous dessert from Turkey. Layers of phyllo pastry, nuts, and honey make up baklava. Many people believe it’s the top Turkish dessert. For the best baklava, you should visit the culinary paradise of Gaziantep, where it all started. It is the ideal sweet to have with a tea after eating a tasty kebab.
Katmer: Heaven on a Plate
This is another wonderful traditional dessert from southeast Turkey. The dessert also consists of layers of pastry, filled with clotted cream, and garnished with freshly chopped, vibrant green pistachio nuts. Gaziantep is perhaps the best place to try Katmer. Every foodie traveller should include this city on their bucket list, as it is Turkey’s culinary capital.
Lokum: Turkish Delight
Turkish delight, or Lokum, is a cherished sweet. It dates back to the era of the Ottoman Empire. You can enjoy this chewy delight in a variety of flavours, including rose and lemon. They sometimes have pine nuts or even dried fruit, and they make a delicious treat when taken with a cup of Turkish coffee. It is especially good if you have a very sweet tooth, and they also make excellent and inexpensive gifts to take home from your trip to Turkey.
Künefe: A Sweet Cheesy Dessert
Künefe is a special and popular dessert from southern Turkey. It mixes cheese, sugar syrup, and phyllo dough pastry. It’s famous for its sweet yet savoury taste. Don’t forget to try it the next time you are in Turkey. It is probably one of the best Turkish desserts, in my opinion.
However, many Syrians may argue that Künefe is a Syrian dessert, not Turkish at all. Without a doubt, Hatay/Antakya is the city where I have eaten the best Künefe. Unfortunately, the February 2023 earthquake severely damaged the city, leaving people struggling to rebuild their lives. I hope to go back to Hatay soon, see the rebuilding efforts, and try some more of their delicious künefe.
Ekmek Kadayıfı (Bread Pudding)
Ekmek kadayıfı is a bread pudding that is made from a special type of bread that is soaked in sweet syrup. People often serve it together the delicious Turkish kaymak (clotted cream) and garnish it with tasty pistachios or other types of nuts.
Rice Pudding and Milk Pudding
If you love milk-based desserts, try Firin Sutlac and Kazandibi. Firin Sutlac is a creamy rice pudding baked in the oven. Kazandibi has a burnt bottom and a unique flavour. These desserts are creamy and very satisfying. It is a wonderful choice for dessert when you go to a Turkish restaurant.
Ayva Tatlısı
Ayva tatlısı is made by cooking quince fruit together with sweet syrup until it becomes soft. It is typically served with clotted cream and nuts.
Halva
Tahini (sesame paste) and a generous amount of caster sugar combine to create the heavy, sweet dish known as halva. There are many varieties of halva, and it often includes extra ingredients such as pistachios or other types of nuts.
Tavuk Göğsü
If you are looking for an unusual dessert, then you should try this one. It is essentially a milk pudding with shredded chicken meat. It may sound weird, but it is quite delicious, with a sweet and creamy consistency.
Matching Turkish Desserts with Beverages
Finding the right drink for Turkish desserts is key to a memorable experience. In Turkey, people love having Turkish tea or coffee with their sweet treats.
Turkish Tea: The Perfect Companion.
Turkish tea, called çay, is a big part of life in Turkey. Greeting guests with a cup of tea is how Turkish people like to make you feel special. Turkish people serve the tea in lovely tulip-shaped glasses, not in mugs or western-style tea cups. It isn´t a big class, so you will only have a few sips of tea. However, once you finish your glass of tea, they will likely ask if you would like more.
Turkish tea has a strong flavour that helps to balance the sugary taste of desserts like baklava. It also helps to keep your mouth feeling fresh. That means you can really enjoy the different flavours of the desserts.
Turkish Coffee: A Match Made in Heaven
Turkish coffee is brewed strong; it´s a bit like an expresso with some coffee grinds at the bottom of the cup, so just sip it and don´t try to drink it all. Turkish coffee is known for its strong taste and smell; Some people prefer it sweet, but I prefer it bitter; this creates a more striking contrast with sweets like baklava. If you pair this coffee with Turkish sweets, it becomes even more delightful.
Turkish Street Food Desserts and Snacks
Turkey’s street food scene offers a taste of its vibrant food culture. In places like Istanbul, you find many stalls and eateries selling yummy desserts and snacks. The city is known for its history and varied cuisine.
Tulumba: Deep-Fried Treats
Tulumbra is a deep-fried dessert that is similar to Spanish churros, but it is soaked in syrup to help bump up the calories. It is a popular street food in Turkey and quite inexpensive. They are quite heavy, but they are great if you have a sweet tooth.
Turkish Ice Cream
In Turkish, the word for ice cream is dondurma. It is much thicker and more elastic than western ice cream, but it tastes delicious. Kahramanmaraş, in southern Turkey, produces the best ice cream. They make ice cream using a special type of flour that is unique to that region. You can try special ice cream made from goat milk cheese; it’s both creamy and tangy and great for cooling off in the summer heat. Walking down the streets of big cities like Istanbul, you’ll often spot many ice-cream vendors wearing traditional Ottoman-style clothes who will serve you in a playful way that kids love.
Conclusion
There are so many wonderful desserts in Turkey to enjoy. From baklava to tulumba, you’ll love every bite. These treats offer a mix of amazing flavours and textures and are part of the history of Turkish cuisine.
Turkish tea and coffee pair perfectly with Turkish sweets like baklava. So, don’t miss trying a cup of Turkish blac tea or strong coffee.
Many Turkish restaurants around the world now serve baklava, Turkish delight, and other Turkish desserts, but they will never compare to those in Turkey in terms of flavour and variety. On your next trip to the county, make sure to check out the sweets and desserts.