What Is Turkish Delight?

Without knowing a single thing about it, the phrase “Turkish Delight” conjures a confection of unimaginable toothsomeness. The word “Delight” is right there in the name, and the Turkish element suggests something exotic and indulgent. 

I heard about Turkish Delight for the first time in The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe. In the novel, the evil White Queen uses this candy to tempt Edmund, one of the children who has wandered into Narnia. In real life, I have only sampled this candy once, and let’s just say I was not nearly as taken with it as Edmund. But even after tasting it, I still didn’t quite know what it was. So, what is Turkish Delight? What are Turkish Delights like, in terms of taste and texture? How are they made? Let’s find out.

What is Turkish Delight?

Turkish Delight, also known as lokum, is a type of confection made from a gel of starch and sugar. Fruit and nuts are often added, as well as flavorings such as rosewater. Usually, Turkish Delight is cut up into little squares and dipped in sugar or cream of tartar to prevent sticking. The candy was very possibly created in Turkey, as its name would imply, but Greece also lays claim to its origin. 

Prior to being labeled Turkish Delight in the U.S., the candy was sold under the name “Lumps Of Delight.” Mmm…lumps. 

What is Turkish Delight made of?

Lokum is made primarily from starch and sugar. When combined, they make a gel-like substance. Turkish Delight is usually flavored with rosewater, and additional ingredients, such as pistachios, walnuts, and dates, may be added as well. 

What does Turkish Delight taste like?

Turkish Delight has a gummy, gelatinous consistency. Though there are a variety of different flavors, rosewater is the most common. High-end Turkish Delights often include chopped dates and pistachios. 

If you grew up in America eating candy like Starbursts and M&M’s, this combination of flavors might not live up to the sky-high expectations set by the Chronicles of Narnia. But maybe I’m wrong, maybe you’ll love Turkish Delight! Just keep in mind that rose, mastic gum, or bergamot orange are not flavors you’re likely to find in a bag of Skittles or Jolly Ranchers. 

How are Turkish Delights made? 

While they might not be something you encounter every day, Turkish Delights are actually fairly simple to make. They’re simple enough that you can even make them at home. A Spicy Perspective has a great step-by-step on how to make lokum in your home kitchen that they claim is even better than the store bought stuff. 

Put simply, making Turkish Delight requires boiling sugar and water to make a simple syrup and then boiling corn starch and water to make a paste, then combining the two with some added flavors and ingredients. From here, you put the mix in the fridge to cool, cut it up into little pieces, and sprinkle them with sugar. That’s it! Making this Delight can be a real delight.