Turkish Delight, Istanbul, TURKEY
Airing Date: May 2nd, 2005
The original Turkish Lokum, also known as the Turkish Delight is a type of sweet in Turkish, Cypriot, Greek, Romanian and Albanian cuisines.
For centuries, the Western world was fascinated by the marvels and mysteries of the Ottoman Empire and the sultans who ruled their vast domains from the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. Built by Sultan Mehmed II, the Conqueror, after his army stormed and sacked Constantinople in 1453, the palace served as the home of the sultans and their court until the mid-19th century.
From afar, the Topkapi is still a sterling sight a walled array of domes and turrets and minaret-like chimneys and belvederes commanding the city from on high. A compound encompassing 173 acres of gardens, courtyards, workshops, kitchens, armouries, baths, fountains, offices, halls and residential areas, the palace embodied the imperial might of the Ottoman Empire and manifested power through the inaccessibility of the sultan and his court. Now called the Topkapi Palace Museum, the complex is a hybrid part museum and part historic building.
Traditionally Turkish Sultans were allowed four wives and hundreds of mistresses. Legend has it that, in his endeavour to cope with all his mistresses, Sultan Abdul Hamid the first summoned all his confectionery experts and ordered them to produce a unique dessert to add to the collection of secret recipes for which he was famous.
The Sultan was so taken by this elegant new creation that he appointed the sweet maker the court's Chief Confectioner. Thereafter, a plate of Lokum was served at daily feasts in the Ottoman Court. The History of Turkish delight dates back 500 years, making it one of the oldest sweets in the world. A part of Turkish culture for centuries, the recipe has remained virtually unchanged from its inception.
Haci Bekir came to Istanbul and opened his small shop at Bahcekapi in 1777 where he handmade hard and soft candies, and the original Turkish Delight store was born! After Haci Bekir passed away his son, Muhiddin, took over the shop and the title of Chief Confectioner to the Palace. Under management of Ali, Muhiddin's son, the company prospered. The company named after three generations; Ali Muhiddin Haci Bekir, is now run by the fourth and fifth generations together and has a thriving export business around the World.
You can still buy Lokum at Ali Muhiddin's shop in Eminn today, almost 250 years since the shop was founded. It's on Hamidiye Caddesi at the corner of Seyhlislam Hayri Efendi Caddesi, two blocks east of the Yeni Cami (New Mosque).
Further information:
Gulf Air will fly you to Istanbul from $1970 ex Sydney
Prices include taxes. Conditions apply. Subject to exchange rates.
Gulf Air: Ph. 1300 366 337.
Visit Istanbul and enjoy fabulous Turkish cuisine on The Imaginative Traveller's, 15-day 'Turkey Land & Sea' tour, which costs $1,560 plus a local payment of US$180 per person. This price is based on twin share accommodation, and includes your arrival airport transfer, all accommodation (10 nights tourist class hotel, 2 nights Gulet cruise, 1 historic hotel, 1 night sleeper train), transport (private air-con coach, and sleeper train), services of a qualified Imaginative Traveller tour leader and many meals.
The itinerary visits Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia with it's underground city and lunar like landscape, Konya - home of the famous Whirling Dervish sect, Taurus Mountains where you'll visit the spectacular fortress of Termessos, follow the coast line to picturesque fishing villages, Kas, Kalkan and Fethiye, a 2-night private Gulet (yacht) cruise, Pamukkale and it's beautiful calcified waterfalls, Ephesus and it's incredible Roman ruins, Troy and Gallipoli. A single supplement is available (but is NOT compulsory) at $225.
Contact Think Adventure on 1300 135 088 or visit www.imaginative-traveller.com.au.
Prices correct at 02/05/05.
