Turkish delight or lokum (; ) is a family of confections based on a gel of starch and sugar. Premium varieties consist largely of chopped dates, pistachios, hazelnuts or walnuts bound by the gel; traditional varieties are often flavored with rosewater, mastic gum, bergamot orange, or lemon. The confection is often packaged and eaten in small cubes dusted with icing sugar, copra, or powdered cream of tartar to prevent clinging. Other common flavors include cinnamon and mint. In the production process, soapwort may be used as an emulsifying additive.
The origin of Turkish delight is not precisely known, but the confection is known to have been produced in Turkey and Iran (Persia) as early as the late 18th century.
History
The exact origin of these sweets is yet to be definitively determined; however, the Turkish word comes from the Arabic . In the Arab world, Turkish delights are called () which means 'throat comfort'.
According to the company, Bekir Efendi, named after performing the Hajj, moved to Constantinople from his hometown Kastamonu and opened his confectionery shop in the district of in 1777. He produced various kinds of candies and , later including a unique form of made with starch and sugar. The family business, now in its fifth generation, still operates under the founder's name.
Tim Richardson, a historian of sweets, has questioned the popular attribution of as the inventor of Turkish delight, writing that "specific names and dates are often erroneously associated with the invention of particular sweets, not least for commercial reasons". Similar Arab and Persian recipes, including the use of starch and sugar, predate Bekir by several centuries. The Oxford Companion to Food states that although Bekir is often credited with the invention, there is no hard evidence for it.
Turkish delight is often sold in hexagonal boxes.
Name
The Turkish names and are derived from the Arabic word () and its plural () meaning 'morsel' and 'mouthful' and the alternative Ottoman Turkish name, , was an Arabic formulation, (), meaning 'comfort of the throat', which remains the name in formal Arabic. In Libya, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Tunisia it is known as , while in Kuwait it is called ; in Egypt it is called ( ) or , and in Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria (). Its name in various Eastern European languages comes from Ottoman Turkish () or . Its name in Greek, () shares a similar etymology with the modern Turkish and it is marketed as Greek Delight. In Cyprus, where the dessert has protected geographical indication (PGI), it is also marketed as Cyprus Delight. In Armenian it is called (). It is läoma ܠܥܡܐ in Assyrian. Its name in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Israel is , and derives from a very old confusion of the two names found already in Ottoman Turkish; indeed this mixed name can also be found in Turkey today. Its name in Serbo-Croatian is (), a reduced form of the same name. In Persian, it is called (). In the Indian subcontinent, a variant of it is known as Karachi halwa or Bombay halwa.
In English, it was formerly alternatively known as Lumps of Delight.
Around the world
Europe
Bulgaria
In Bulgarian, Turkish delight is known as lokum (локум) and enjoys some popularity. While it presumably came with the Ottoman Empire, it may have arrived earlier. Bulgaria produces its own brands of lokum, which may be plain or spiced with rose petals, white walnuts, or "endreshe".
Greece
In Greece, Turkish delight, known as loukoumi [λουκούμι] has been a very popular delicacy since the 19th century, famously produced in the city of Patras (Patrina loukoumia) as well as on the island of Syros and the northern Greek cities Thessaloniki, Serres and Komotini but elsewhere as well. Loukoumi is a common traditional treat, routinely served instead of biscuits along with coffee. In addition to the common rosewater and bergamot varieties, Mastic-flavored loukoumi is available and very popular. Another sweet, similar to loukoumi, that is made exclusively in the town of Serres, is Akanés.
Romania
In Romania, Turkish delight is eaten as is or is added in many Romanian cakes called cornulețe, cozonac or .
Former Ottoman territories in the Balkans
Turkish delight was introduced to European portions of the Ottoman Empire under its rule, covering today's Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania. It has remained popular in those places. Today it is commonly consumed with coffee. Rose and walnut are the most common flavorings.