The Maraş ice cream popular in Turkey takes its name from the town of Kahramanmaraş, also known as Maraş, which is situated at the base of the Ahir Mountain. Every region in Turkey enjoys this dessert. It is distinct from traditional Italian ice cream (gelato) due to its thick texture and flavour and is worth tasting. The ingredients in this type of ice cream, indigenous to these regions, are its secret. One of these is “salep” or “sahlep,” which refers to the powdered tubers of a purple orchid that only blooms around Ahir Mountain and helps temper ice cream. Along with salep, Maraş ice cream also includes goat’s milk from the goats on Ahir Mountain and Arabic gum, a resin that gives it a chewier flavour.
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How was this ice cream made? There are many myths and legends surrounding its beginnings. One such one concerns an Ottoman named Osman Agha. According to legend, Osman Aga would supply Ottoman mansions with sahlep, a hot beverage made from milk and powdered orchid tubers. He decided to bury a sizeable chunk of his stuff beneath the snow one day when it was still unsold, primarily to prevent it from spoiling. When he went to get it the other day, he found that it had frozen into ice cream. Maraş ice cream was subsequently created.
To make Maraş dondurmasi, goat’s milk with added sugar is cooked slowly. Mastic gum was previously finely ground and mixed with the sugar. The mixture is then given a dash of sahlep powder. Until the desired thickness is achieved, the mixture is whisked. It is then allowed to cool at room temperature before being placed in a freezer for the night. Maraş dondurmas are a favourite due to their superb preparation method and adequately selected ingredients that make them relatively resistant to melting.
But Maraş ice cream offers more than just this. For the past 300 years, it has built a unique narrative and culture, with Türkiye’s Maraş city at the centre of it.
When you travel to Türkiye, you’ll witness Maraş ice cream vendors selling the treat while dressed in distinctive Maraş attire that pays tribute to their hometown’s traditions. One of the main things that come to mind when thinking of Maraş ice cream is the trick and tease the vendors engage in with their customers. They offer the ice cream cone on a stick to the customer and then remove it as the customer tries to grab it. As a result, it may take some time to receive your order. Customers who are unaware of the custom might become confused, but those who are will undoubtedly enjoy this well-known ice cream prank the most.
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