Turkish Nut Sweets Like Baklava & Lokum Explored - History and Recipes

Introduction to Turkish Sweets with Nuts

Turkish cuisine is renowned worldwide for its diverse array of mouthwatering sweets and desserts. Among the most popular are sweets featuring nuts, which add texture and richness to the confections. In this article, we'll explore the history, ingredients, and varieties of classic Turkish nut-based sweets that are beloved in Turkey and beyond.

The History of Turkish Nut Sweets

The tradition of making sweets with nuts has its origins many centuries ago in the Ottoman Empire. As trade routes expanded the Ottoman reach, new ingredients like refined sugar, rosewater, spices, and various nuts were brought back and incorporated into dessert making. Nut sweets grew especially popular during religious holiday seasons as special treats. Over time, they became a staple of Turkish cuisine.

Pistachios, walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds are among the most commonly used nuts. Their addition lends a wonderful crunch and rich, indulgent taste. They are the stars of classic sweets like baklava, Turkish delight, halva, and more.

Common Ingredients

While the nut varieties can differ, Turkish nut sweets tend to share some common ingredients that give them their signature taste and textures. These include:

• Nuts - Usually chopped or ground into small pieces, nuts provide crunch.
• Phylo dough - Ultra-thin, flaky layers of dough are what make pastries like baklava so decadent.
• Sugar or honey - Sweeteners are used liberally in Turkish desserts.
• Rosewater or orange blossom water - Floral distillates lend a perfumed aroma.
• Butter or olive oil - Adds richness and moisture.
• Spices - Cinnamon, cloves, cardamom add warmth.

Famous Turkish Nut Sweets

From world-famous to local favorites, here are some of the most beloved Turkish nut confections:

Baklava

Certainly the most famous of all, baklava features chopped nuts sandwiched between endless layers of crispy, flaky phylo dough glazed in syrup or honey. Pistachios are a popular choice.

Lokum

Better known as Turkish delight, lokum is made from starch and sugar gel often flavored with rosewater or lemon and dusted in powdered sugar. Crunchy chopped pistachios or walnuts are sometimes added.

Kadayıf

This sweet features shredded phylo dough mixed with chopped nuts like pistachios or walnuts and soaked in sweet syrup. Variations can also have cream or cheese fillings.

Halva

Halva is made from tahini sesame paste and sugar formed into dense, fudgy confections. Common varieties include pistachio halva studded with the nut and peanut halva.

Cevizli Kaymak

A rich dessert made by topping the thick dairy cream kaymak with syrup, cevizli kaymak is then garnished with chopped walnuts for texture.

Helva

Not to be confused with halva, helva is made by cooking flour, butter, sugar, and milk into a pudding-like sweet highlighted by pine nuts or almonds.

The Allure of Turkish Nut Sweets

It's easy to see why Turkish nut-filled desserts have become so popular. The nut varieties lend a pleasing crunch and flavor to contrast soft, sweet elements like phylo dough and syrups. Nuts also provide nutrition and healthful unsaturated fats to balance out the sugar content. With their decadent tastes, intriguing textures, and historic roots, Turkish nut sweets will continue to be classics beloved around the world.

FAQs

What are the most popular nuts used in Turkish sweets?

Pistachios, walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds are the most popular. Pistachios and walnuts especially are used very frequently in Turkish nut sweets.

What makes Turkish nut sweets different from other desserts?

The use of nuts adds texture and a rich, nutty flavor. Also unique is the use of phylo dough, rosewater, orange blossom water, aromatic spices, and plenty of sweeteners like honey or sugar syrup.

Which Turkish nut sweets have the most complex preparation?

Baklava and lokum typically require the most steps and ingredients. The baklava phylo dough must be layered properly and lokum uses a starch gel base. However, all Turkish nut sweets require some labor-intensive preparation.