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August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Everyday Life • Food & Drink

Turkish delight

Turkish delight, also called lokum, is a soft confection made from sugar and starch, usually flavoured with rosewater, citrus, mastic, or nuts.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Turkish delight, also known as lokum, is a soft, chewy confection made from sugar and starch. It is traditionally flavoured with rosewater or citrus and dusted with icing sugar.

What it is

Turkish delight is a gel-based sweet made by cooking sugar and starch together until set. Common flavourings include rosewater, lemon, orange blossom, and mastic. Nuts such as pistachios or walnuts are often added. The cubes are dusted with icing sugar or starch to prevent sticking.

History and origins

Turkish delight is closely associated with the Ottoman Empire and later became popular in Europe. Its exact origins are debated, with some tracing related sweets to earlier Persian or Arab traditions. It remains a staple in Turkish confectionery.

Varieties and cultural use

Traditional flavours include rose, lemon, and bergamot. Modern versions may include chocolate, coconut, or dried fruit. Turkish delight is commonly served with tea or coffee and appears in gift boxes and holiday assortments.

In short

  • Made from sugar and starch gel
  • Flavoured with rosewater, citrus, or mastic
  • Often includes nuts and dusted with icing sugar
Canadian angle

Turkish delight is sold in some Canadian Middle Eastern and international grocery stores, specialty confectionery shops, and online marketplaces, especially in large cities with diverse food retail options.

Quick questions

What is Turkish delight made of?
It is usually made from sugar and starch, most often cornstarch, with flavourings such as rosewater, citrus, or mastic. Some versions also contain nuts, dried fruit, or colouring.
Is Turkish delight gluten free?
It is often gluten-free because it is typically made with sugar and cornstarch rather than wheat flour. However, gluten-free status depends on the exact recipe and manufacturing process, so packaged products should be checked individually.
What does Turkish delight taste like?
It tastes sweet and aromatic, with a soft chewy texture. Common flavours include floral rosewater, bright citrus, and lightly resinous mastic, sometimes balanced by nuts.

Sources

  1. Only Crumbs Remain — https://onlycrumbsremain.com/turkish-delight/
    Supports: Recipe ingredients, rosewater flavouring, and dusting with icing sugar and cornflour.
  2. The Mediterranean Dish — https://www.themediterraneandish.com/turkish-delight-lokum/
    Supports: Describes Turkish delight (lokum) as a fragrant jelly candy native to Turkey.
  3. Unicorns in the Kitchen — https://www.unicornsinthekitchen.com/turkish-delight-recipe-lokum/
    Supports: States Turkish delight is a soft, chewy candy made from sugar, cornstarch, and rosewater.
  4. The Things Well Make — https://thethingswellmake.com/how-to-make-turkish-delight/
    Supports: States traditional Turkish delight is made with starch and sugar.
  5. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_delight
    Supports: Provides background on the confection as a starch-and-sugar sweet, common flavours, dusting, and origin traditions.
  6. Simply Recipes — https://www.simplyrecipes.com/turkish-delight-lokum-recipe-7187442
    Supports: Summarizes Turkish delight as a soft-chew candy made with sugar and cornstarch and notes disputed origins.
  7. Taste of Home — https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-to-make-turkish-delight/
    Supports: Mentions common flavours, including rose, lemon, orange, pomegranate, chocolate, and nuts.