Here at Oceanwide Properties we’ve been reaching for some warming drinks recently (well, it is the winter!). Ok, it may not be as cold as it is back in the UK but the temperature has very definitely plummeted in recent weeks to the extent even hot chocolate has become a regular around the office.
We thought we’d also look into two traditional Turkish warming drinks as well. If you’re considering investing in a property in Turkey then no doubt you too will encounter these drinks at some point during the colder winter months. The drinks in question are Boza – a very thick and fermented malted drink and Sahlep (which in its purest form is made from wild orchids, would you believe?!). We’ll go on to describe both drinks here and tell you how they’re made (just in case you manage to get a hold of some wild orchid powder!):
Warming Drink No1 – Boza
Boza is actually similar to Advocaat in the UK (otherwise known as egg nog). But unlike Advocaat it takes up to four hours to make. It’s served in water glasses and sprinkled with cinnamon on top (sometimes roasted chickpeas too). It’s believed to have several health benefits too. For instance, you’ll get vitamin A1 and D1 in a glass as well as vitamin E.
The drink is made by mixing the malted ingredients in boiling water then forming it into the shape of corn bread. It’s then mixed with water once again and refiltered. After yet another extraction it’s then ready to drink. If you don’t want to make it though you can actually buy it in bottles.
Warming Drink No 2 – Sahlep
Sahlep is a drink rather like hot milk and made from grinding dried tubers of the orchid flower which is found in the south of Turkey and the Black Sea region. It was popular thousands of years ago in Turkey (actually during the Ottoman Empire) and could be bought in the streets from copper jugs which were heated over braziers.
However, if you’re planning on making it be prepared to fork out a fortune for the genuine orchid powder which you can buy in some specialist Turkey shops. It can cost as much as £88 per kilo. It can be found though at traditional milk pudding shops in Istanbul. The Sahlep you can find in packets in supermarkets these days contains artificial flavourings unfortunately. You can buy it in some cafes too but it’ll more than likely be thickened with cornstarch. Interestingly, you’ll also find Sahlep in Turkish Dondurma ice cream.
To make it boil together 1 tsp of Sahlep powder, 2 tsp sugar, a cinnamon stick and 1.5 cups of cold milk in a pan for up to three minutes, whisking, until it thickens. Then simply pour into two glasses and sprinkle with cinnamon.
If you’re a UK citizen and looking for property for sale in Fethiye or other areas of southern Turkey, including Istanbul then we’d be happy to direct your search here at Oceanwide Properties Turkey where we assist with property for sale in Turkey, as well as Turkish investment properties.
image via amershon.edublogs.org
