04/21/2022
What is baklava?
Just as Turkish delight is Turkey’s favourite candy, baklava is the countries favourite dessert. Dating back to pre-Ottoman times, baklava is made from ultra-thin layers of filo pastry filled with walnuts, pistachios or hazelnuts, drenched in oozy honey or sugar syrup and served in bite-sized pieces. It’s an impressive and decadent dessert, either served as it is or with a dollop of kaymak (clotted cream) or vanilla ice cream on the side – and it’s a “must-order” provision, sure to tickle the tastebuds of all onboard.
History of baklava.
The Greeks, Arabs, Bulgarians and Turks have all tried to lay claim to baklava, so the origins of this well-loved dessert are hazy. What we do know is that baklava was enjoyed throughout the Ottoman Empire, and it’s even mentioned in chefs notes found in Topkapi Palace dating back to 1473.Baklava was the go-to dessert for all significant celebrations during the Ottoman era – just as it is for many in Turkey today. It’s a special treat, easy to pass around, plus it tastes delicious, so ideal to offer guests at weddings, banquets, on the birth of a child or during Eid. Baklava used to be regarded as the dessert of the wealthy and elite, one stemming from the mansions and palaces of the Sultans who employed a ‘baklava usta’, or baklava chef, as it takes great skill to produce the best baklava. It was also seen as an aphrodisiac, so one to feed the harem of wives kept in the palace.A chef was really put to the test when making baklava. Sultans expected their cooks to cram up to 100 layers of filo pastry into one tray of baklava. Some sultans tested the tray on serving by dropping a gold coin from a meter above the tray to see if it would pass through the layers of dough and reach the bottom. If the coin hit the base, they would accept the baklava, and if not, it was rushed away as it wasn’t light and crisp enough!
Some baklava trivia.
It’s always good to swat up on a few fun facts, so here’s a little info on baklava in case you ever need to impress the guests.
November 17th is National Baklava Day, so do make sure you indulge in a few pieces then!
Baklava is the ancestor of Hungarian strudel. Turkish invaders brought baklava to Hungary in the 16th century, and on discovering the dessert, Hungarian chefs then dreamt up the strudel.
Christians, Jews and Muslims all love baklava. In Greece, baklava is typically made with 33 layers to signify the years Christ lived.
The biggest baklava ever recorded was made for the Ankara Gastronomy Summit in 2018 and weighed 513kg.
Baklava is best served fresh and at room temperature.
