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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nLong before there were gummy bears, or worms, there was Lokum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lokum, meaning morsel or bite in Arabic, is a soft rose flavored chewy candy coated in powdered sugar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
History of Lokum aka Turkish Delight<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
They originated in the Ottoman Empire about 500 years ago. There is some debate about who first made it and why, whether a sultan ordered his chef to make it for a variety of reasons or the chef just came up with it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the nineteenth century, an unknown English traveler to Istanbul tried it at one of the most famous candy shops, Haci Bekir. He brought cases of it back to England and called it Turkish Delight. Haci Bekir<\/a> is still open today run by the 5th generation of the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The candy remained popular in English speaking countries. Over a century later C.S. Lewis had the White Witch offering pounds of Turkish Delight to an unsuspecting Edmund in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ingredients are pretty basic, except the rose water (more on that in a minute):<\/p>\n\n\n\n Candy making is chemistry and substitutions are tricky. Using a sugar substitute or a different type of starch might work, but I have not tried it. Changing them could effect the temperature and gelling point. If you experiment with either, please let us know your results in the comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rose Water tastes like roses smell. It can be surprising when you first try it, but it has a delightful floral taste. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is used most often in Middle Eastern and Greek cuisines, which all overlap and are inter related like most regional cuisines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I use this Rose Water from Nielsen Massey<\/a>, which I ordered online and have used for a variety of recipes such as Rose Pomegranate Jell<\/a>y and Persian New Years Cookies<\/a>. It is very strong. Other brands may be lighter in flavor and you might need to add more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may be able to find it in your grocers liquor department or a good liquor store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If rose flavoring isn't your choice, you can use the same procedure and swap out the extract. Popular choices include apple (aplets), apricot (cotlets), lemon, vanilla, mint, orange, pomegranate, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can add nuts such as pistachios, almonds or walnuts by either mixing them in before pouring into the final pan, or pouring half of the mixture into the pan adding the nuts and then adding the rest of the mixture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of rolling in powdered sugar at the end, you can use coconut. Pulse some shredded coconut in a food processor until fine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Read the instructions at least once through before starting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This recipe can take up to two hours to cook depending on your stove. And then it needs to sit for 8-10 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have a good candy thermometer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WHIP IT GOOD! You must completely beat in the cornstarch to avoid hard clumps in the final candy. If you have a helper that can pour in the liquid while you beat the mixture it will help. Otherwise, pour the liquid into the starch mixture slowly and beat it in. Don't pause to take pictures or videos (learn from my example).<\/p>\n\n\n\nIngredients for Turkish Delight<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What does Rose Water taste like?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Variations for Turkish Delight<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tips for Making Lokum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
More Christmas Sweets Recipes:<\/h3>\n
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