Saturday 28 March 2009

What is this?

According to the Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir Confectioners company of Istanbul, founded in 1777, it has been produced in Turkiye since the 15th century. Originally, honey and molasses were used as sweeteners, and water and flour were the binding agents.

The recipe for it as we know it today, using the new ingredients of sugar and starch, was invented and popularized by the Hacı Bekir company during the 19th century.

It was introduced to the West in the 19th century. An unknown Briton became very fond of the delicacy during his travels to Istanbul, and purchased cases of it. It became a major delicacy not only in Britain, but throughout Continental.