Turkish Delight

As most of my friends know I'm probably the number one person in their lives that has such a strong relationship with almost anything sweet. I can eat anything from simple candies to chocolates to five-star desserts. There are very few sweet things that I don't eat. All my life I was the one that had the biggest sweet tooth among my friends :). Therefore, I also love Turkish Delight but since there are many different kinds I especially enjoy a couple of them very much.

Before Turkish Delight is cut into cube shaped pieces

Turkish Delight known as "lokum" in Turkish was first found by Bekir Efendi, who moved from his hometown Kastamonu to Istanbul and opened his confectionery shop near the Yeni Cami Mosque in 1776 during Ottoman Empire's reign. You can now buy these sweet things in boxes but originally you were supposed to bring a handkerchief with you before you went to the store and when in the store they would put the delight inside your handkerchief. "Lokum was introduced to Western Europe in the 19th century. An unknown Briton reputedly became very fond of the delicacy during his travels to Istanbul and purchased cases of it, to be shipped back to Britain under the name Turkish delight".  For more information visit here. I watched a documentary about Turkish Delight a few years ago and in the documentary a lady said that when Turkish Delight became so popular in Britain there were many people who tried to replicate the sweet however they were not successful. At the time there was a specific technique that you had to use so the delight would not be runny or sticky.

Turkish Delight cut and ready to be taken out of store :)

However, now you can find Turkish Delight around the world. It is probably named differently in some places and the taste will definitely vary. In my opinion the best ones can be bought during the bus trips you take in Turkey. If you are traveling for more than 3 hours the buses will have a rest stop where you can find many treats to buy especially a wide range of lokum flavors. I love the rose and chocolate flavored ones and the ones with pistachios inside but I prefer the ones that aren't sprinkled with coconut.

Turkish Delight up close

Turkish Delight on display

I've done my detective work and in North America you can find these delights in Middle-Eastern/Turkish stores or online. Also I believe some of the Americans were introduced to Aplets and Cotlets as Turkish Delight. I will be trying them very soon :).

Aplets & Cotlets: Will be trying them soon

I would've given you a recipe but I haven't tried making Turkish Delight before and I don't know which recipe is the best among the ones I found online. As I've told you earlier it is hard to find the right density of the delight so it is not too soft or too hard.