Künefe – Famous Turkish Dessert
Künefe is one of Turkey’s most famous desserts, captivating both with its unique flavor and story. This hot dessert is made from finely shredded pastry filled with stretchy cheese. Künefe is baked in butter, drizzled with sweet syrup, and served hot, often topped with pistachio flakes.
The dessert originated in Antakya, in the Hatay region, known for its rich culinary heritage. Here, Künefe became a symbol of hospitality and togetherness. In Turkish culture, Künefe is more than just a dessert – it is a ritual. Enjoying it with family or friends makes any table warmer and more festive. It is often served as a finale after a hearty meal, especially during celebrations.
When visiting Turkey, tasting Künefe is a must – it is not just food, but a living tradition and part of the culture.
Fırın Sütlaç – the Sweet Pride of Turkish Cuisine
Fırın Sütlaç is a traditional Turkish rice pudding made with milk, rice, sugar, and a hint of vanilla. Baked in small clay pots, it develops a golden-brown crust on top that gives the dessert its unique taste and character.
The history of this treat dates back to the Ottoman Empire, where milk-based desserts were especially cherished in the sultan’s palace. Over time, Fırın Sütlaç became a beloved part of everyday life in Turkey – enjoyed at home, in cafés, and during celebrations.
Today, Fırın Sütlaç is more than just a dessert – it is a symbol of hospitality and togetherness. It is the perfect ending to a rich meal and a true taste of authentic Turkish tradition.
Halka Tatlısı - Traditional Turkish Desert
Halka Tatlısı is one of the most popular Turkish desserts, loved by both locals and tourists. It is made from a dough of flour, semolina, and yogurt, shaped into rings and fried until golden and crispy. After frying, it is generously soaked in aromatic sugar syrup, giving it a sweet and juicy flavor.
The roots of this dessert date back to the Ottoman Empire, when sweets were an essential part of celebrations and feasts. Halka Tatlısı is often considered a simpler yet equally beloved relative of other Turkish desserts such as tulumba and baklava.
Today, Halka Tatlısı is a favorite street treat. It can be found in markets and cafés all over Turkey, often enjoyed with a glass of strong Turkish tea. This dessert symbolizes hospitality, sweetness, and the joy of togetherness.
Turkish Baklava – a Sweet Tradition with Centuries of History
Turkish baklava is not just a dessert – it is a true cultural and historical experience. This sweet delicacy originated in the palaces of the Ottoman Empire several centuries ago, where it was appreciated as a luxurious treat at festive events and celebrations. Initially, baklava was a delicacy served only to special guests, but over time it became an integral part of everyday life and celebrations throughout Turkey.
Baklava is made with delicate layers of filo pastry, filled with a rich nut mixture – often walnuts or pistachios. When baked, it is drizzled with a syrup made of honey and sugar, creating the perfect harmony between the crispy pastry, soft nut filling, and sweet syrup.
This dessert is not just delicious – it is a ritual, often served at family gatherings, weddings, and religious holidays such as Ramadan. Each piece symbolizes hospitality, blessing, and warmth that Turkish culture offers to its guests.
Baklava remains a pride of Turkey’s culinary heritage, and its preparation is an art in itself – requiring patience, skill, and love for detail. It is no wonder that baklava is considered one of the world’s finest desserts, combining flavor, history, and tradition in every bite.
Taste baklava – not just a dessert, but a journey into Turkish culture and history!
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TRAVELEXPO ANKARA 2024
How Is Turkish Coffee Made?
- Measure the drinking water by a coffee cup and put it in the coffee pot (Turk.: "cezve").
- Add 2 teaspoons of coffee (6 g) for each coffee cup and sugar if desired.
- Stir the coffee well over low heat.
- After a while, divide the rising foam into the coffee cups.
- Heat up the remaining coffee for one more time and pour it into the coffee cups.
* It is customary to serve water with Turkish coffee. Drinking water prepares the mouth for coffee flavour.
Going on Private Trips Abroad
A few of the Best Baklava Shops in Istanbul
- Güllüoğlu;
- Hacı İsmail Hakkızade Hafız Mustafa.
Turkish Delight
The Turkish word lokma or lokum comes from the Arabic لقمة luqma(t), plural لقوم luqūm.The Ottoman alternative name is rahat ul-hulküm, derived from the Arabic راحة الحلقوم raḥat al-ḥulqum, which means relieving the throat. In Libya, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia it is known as حلقوم ḥalqūm. In Bosnia, it is known as “rahat lokum”. Its Greek name is λουκούμι 'loukoumi' and its etymology is almost identical to Modern Turkish; in Cyprus it is sold as “Cyprus Lokum”.
Although Turkish delight has been known in Anatolia since around the 15th century, it became widespread within the borders of the Ottoman Empire, especially in the 17th century. In Europe, it became known as “Turkish Delight” in the 18th century through an English traveler. Previously made with a combination of honey or molasses and flour, both the production and taste of Turkish delight changed in the 17th century thanks to the discovery and introduction of refined sugar known as “Kelle sugar” and especially starch.
Several Now Popular Turkish Songs
- Renklensin (Reymen);
- Tek Başıma (Semicenk);
- Lan (Zeynep Bastık);
- Kömür (Mabel Matiz);
- Tiryakinim (Bayhan).
Nasreddin Hoca
Nasreddin Hoca and his funny stories are known in Turkey and all over the world. Although he is known to have lived in Aksehir, Konya, his stories have spread all over the world, from the Balkans to Persia, Arab and African countries, China and India. Nasreddin Hoca's tales, which are unique and entertaining in Turkish folklore, often contain lessons in morality or folk wisdom. He has a good sense of humor and an ability to convey symbolic messages through storytelling, as well as an uncanny ability to focus on social issues through humor.
Turkish Hamam
A Turkish bath / Turkish hamam is a room heated by special methods, where hot and cold water is used. The room is used for bathing, "peeling", foam massage and pleasant pastime. Traditionally hamam is divided into 2 parts: female and male. However, there are also joint hammams. It is believed that high humidity and temperature in the hamam contribute to the treatment of many diseases. Hamam is also an important part of Turkish history and culture.