A Turkish Delight

The best way to immerse oneself in a city is through its food. And what better a city than Istanbul. Whether you are on the search for the best succulent doners, crispy calamari or bal kaymak this Mediterranean hot spot has it all. And of course no visit is complete without indulging in some Turkish delight.

Istanbul’s Haci Bekir sweet shop has been selling this Turkish confectionery for over two centuries, largely thanks to generations of business savvy women. Operated by fifth and sixth generation family members, it is among Turkey’s and among the world’s 100 oldest companies.

Opened in 1777 by Celalyan’s great-great-grandfather, confectioner Haci Bekir Effendi, the shop is responsible for creating the Turkish delight we know today. When cornstarch was first created in the mid-19th Century, Bekir Effendi altered his original recipe, replacing flour with cornstarch as a binding ingredient, which gave the sweet the distinct chewiness. Known in Turkey as lokum, these small, jellied cubes are Turkey’s most beloved sweet, and have been sold to sweet-toothed tourists and residents for more than two centuries.

While domes and minarets make up most of Istanbul’s skyline, Taksim Square is the popular center of city life and a symbol of the modern republic founded nearly 100 years ago. And in the middle of all the hustle and bustle, on İstiklal Avenue is Hacı Bekir’s Turkish delight shop, the latest opening in their growing family business. 

We walked into a continuous flurry of activity, as delectable boxes of sugary goodness were being prepared. Folks enjoying a bite with some tea, shoppers carousing through all the deliciousness on display and enthusiastic tourists trying this confectionery for the first time! We worked our way through the crowd towards their gourmet tasting room.

An arrangement akin to a Japanese conveyor-belt restaurant, with mouthwatering traditional Turkish desserts up for tasting – a great way to try out smaller portions of a variety of things at your own pace. The Turkish Delight with Pistachio was definitely a crowd favorite. Each bite offers a delightful contrast between the soft, gooey center and the crunchy pistachio nuts. The nutty flavor from the pistachios and the floral notes from the rosewater create the perfect blend of both sweet and savory.

Behind the dessert bar, a master craftsman can be seen skillfully rolling Turkish delight with clotted cream or shaping hard candy. We were absolutely thrilled to watch the action unfold in front of us with such incredible finesse and technique. And, of course, delight in getting to taste it all. A welcomed sugar rush.

Note: The store visited in the article is

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