Layers of thin, fragile dough, stuffed with pistachios soaked in melted sugar, are enough to make "baklava" a favorite Turkish sweet treat for lovers of sugary foods.
Here, at this type of sweets, food cravings do not end, but rather increase endlessly, as they are stuffed with types of nuts and sweetened by pouring syrup or honey on them, which makes them more cohesive, so baklava received an honorary status; it was among the Ten Most Famous Foods in the world.
Where Did The Name of Turkish Baklava Come From
According to one version, the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid had a cook named (Lawa), who created this dessert, and when the Sultan tasted it for the first time, he said to a guest: (bag Lawa NEH Baidi) i.e. “Look what Did Lawa make!”.
It is said that the first person who introduced its industry to Aleppo was a person named Freij from Istanbul who lived more than a hundred years ago in Aleppo and opened a shop for it near the ‘New locality” selling it in the month of Ramadan. Later on, it became sold on various days of the year and Aleppo surpassed Istanbul in its industry.
Despite this version which claims that the origin of baklava is Turkish, there are several people who claim that they invented baklava, and there are those who say that the origin of baklava is most likely Assyrian. Baklava is one of the reasons for the dispute between Turkey and European Cyprus because of posters distributed in Austria on the occasion of the celebration of Europe Day, which depicted baklava as the original dish of Greek Cypriots.
The Importance of Turkish Baklava For Turks
Baklava was widespread throughout the Ottoman Empire, and it was often eaten in Saraya and Palaces. Palace Cooks took care that the baklava dough was very thin, and this suggests that it is possible that the dough used to make baklava was previously thick
Baklava is present in the rituals of Turkish celebrations and occasions, it is even given as gifts, and friends are invited to taste it in restaurants among themselves. Turkish baklava has spread with its delicious crispy taste that succeeded in attracting tourists and visitors, not only Turkish citizens, who consider it their favorite dessert.
The Peculiarities of Turkish Baklava Parade
Baklava trays were distributed to the Janissary units and other military units, provided that every ten people had a tray of baklava. Reception of Baklava, by the soldiers, and Transporting the same to the military barracks, was done with a luxurious ceremony; the ready-made baklava trays were wrapped in a towel -a kind of bathrobe- and lined up in front of the kitchen of the Sultan's Palace, and the soldiers who would receive the trays lined up opposite them.
Selahad Agha begins first. He takes the first two trays in the name of the Sultan because the Sultan is considered the number one Janissary. The soldiers take the remaining trays and each tray has two people, they pass a green-painted wood from the buttonholes of the towel, carry the tray on their shoulders, the heads of each regiment walk in front, the holders of the trays walk behind them, get out of the open doors and march towards the barracks in the form of a procession.
This parade was called the baklava parade. Istanbul residents would go out to the markets to watch the baklava parade, showing their love for the Sultan and the soldiers.
Customs & Traditions Associated With Turkish Baklava
Turkish baklava was not just a delicious traditional dessert, but it became an important part of customs, traditions, celebrations, holidays and various occasions in many regions that are famous for it, because of the amount of calories in baklava that energizes the body.
One of the most famous customs associated with baklava is to offer it as a hospitality during Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, as well as distribute them same in cases of death at funerals and as charity to encourage people to pray for mercy to the deceased person.
In Arab countries, baklava is one of the most important desserts served on holidays as well as on Ramadan tables where various types of baklava are served.
In Greece, baklava is one of the most prominent types of hospitality during wedding parties, as well as at Easter, where it is made of 40 thin layers indicating the number of fasting days. It is also said in Greece that usually baklava should be made of 33 layers of filo dough, a figure that indicates the age of Christ.
Novels and Books About Turkish baklava
After baklava entered the Levant, the Lebanese and Syrians modified it, changed its fillings, and added an oriental flavor to it. It's interesting about this delicious dessert that there are many novels that had been written about it, including “The Baklava Club” novel 2014, and “The Sweet Baklava” novel.
Turkish Baklava; The Omnipresent of Tourists’ Bags
"Baklava" and “Turkish delights", with their delicious taste, types and many forms, are at the forefront of the varieties of sweets that tourists are keen to buy from Turkey to give them as a present to their families and friends when they return home.
Due to the popularity of Turkish sweets, many tourists receive requests from their friends and relatives to bring them these sweets when they return home in order to enjoy the beauty of their taste and live part of the experience of traveling to Turkey.
It is not strange that a visitor of Turkey carries along quantities of them to his country, where he sees them as a valuable gift that can be presented to his friends and relatives.
Would You Like to Order Baklava While at Home?
It seems that the topic of ordering baklava via the internet while you are at home from Turkey is a bit strange. Believe it or not, there are many websites specialized in selling Turkish baklava, including these brands, and shipping it to any country in the world . It arrives fresh and delicious as if you’re having it in Turkey.
The original Turkish baklava is one of the most delicious types of baklava around the world, it can be made at home, of course, but baklava with Turkish pistachios and baklava with Turkish nuts remain of a more delicious taste because they are made by the touch of Turkish ancestors. You can order the most delicious Turkish baklava wherever you are from the Turkish confectionery online store that encompasses the tastiest sweets and the finest Turkish products in one place.
Present a friend a Luxury Turkish Baklava Gift?
Sweet Saray Store, the specialist of Turkish sweets, offers you the possibility of presenting gifts, to friends or family, of the luxurious Turkish sweets, where boxes of the finest types of mixed baklava are prepared, packaged with a distinctive gift wrap, and delivered to you whether you are in the Middle East or Europe.
You can check out the Turkish baklava gift boxes here.
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