Small, soft cubes dusted with powdered sugar, served alongside a glass of tea or a cup of Turkish coffee... Turkish delight, known in Turkey as lokum, has been part of Turkish tables, holidays and hospitality traditions for centuries. Known around the world as "Turkish Delight", it is one of the most recognised flavours of Turkish cuisine. In this article you will learn what Turkish delight is, where its name comes from, how it is made, and which varieties you can find at Özcanlar Kuruyemiş.

What Is Turkish Delight?

Turkish delight is a traditional sweet made by cooking sugar and starch with water until the mixture thickens into a soft, slightly chewy texture. The cooked mixture is poured into trays and left to set, then cut and coated in powdered sugar so the pieces do not stick together. Flavours such as rose, lemon and orange turn it into many different varieties.

Where Does the Name "Lokum" Come From?

The word "lokum" comes from the Arabic word for "morsel" or "mouthful". In Ottoman times the sweet was called "rahat-ül hulkum", meaning "comfort of the throat", and over time the name was shortened to "lokum".

A Short History of Turkish Delight

Sweets made from sugar and starch have a long history, and Istanbul played a big role in making Turkish delight known in its present form. According to tradition, Hacı Bekir Efendi opened a shop in the Bahçekapı district of Istanbul in 1777 and helped make lokum famous. Over time it reached Europe, where English speakers came to know it as "Turkish Delight".

How Is Turkish Delight Made?

Making traditional lokum takes patience:

• Cooking: Sugar, starch and water are cooked together and stirred for a long time.
• Flavouring: Once the mixture thickens, flavours such as rose, lemon or orange are added.
• Setting: The thickened lokum is poured into trays and left to set.
• Cutting: The set lokum is cut into different shapes such as cubes, small bites or thin slices.
• Dusting: The pieces are coated in powdered sugar so they do not stick together.

Turkish Delight Varieties at Özcanlar Kuruyemiş

Classic Flavours

• Plain Turkish Delight: Made without any added flavour, the purest and most classic form of lokum.
• Rose Turkish Delight: Pink cubes carrying the light scent of rose, one of lokum's most traditional flavours.
• Rose Turkish Delight, Leaf Cut: Rose lokum cut into thin, flat slices for a different texture and presentation.
• Mixed Fruit Bite-Size Turkish Delight: Colourful, bite-size pieces in a mix of fruit flavours.

Mediterranean Series

Inspired by Mediterranean orchards, each lokum in this series focuses on a single fruit flavour:

• Strawberry Turkish Delight: Red cubes with strawberry flavour.
• Orange Turkish Delight: Orange-toned cubes with orange flavour.
• Lemon Turkish Delight: Pale yellow cubes with lemon flavour.

How to Store Turkish Delight

To keep lokum fresh, store it in a closed container in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Keeping it in the fridge can make it harden and cause the powdered sugar to absorb moisture.

How to Serve Turkish Delight

Turkish delight is most often served with Turkish coffee. It is also a favourite at tea time, during holiday visits and when welcoming guests. Combine different flavours on one plate for a colourful treat.

Where to Buy Turkish Delight

At Özcanlar Kuruyemiş we offer our Turkish delight varieties in plain, rose, mixed fruit and Mediterranean series options. Order from our stores in Mersin or from our website. Orders over 1,000 TL qualify for free shipping.