Arabic & Levantine Pantry Guide
Lokum (Rahat al-Hulqum / Turkish Delight): Pistachio, Mastic and Hazelnut Confection
Lokum (known in Arabic as rahat al-hulqum or simply raha, and in English as Turkish delight) is a pillowy confection slowly cooked from sugar syrup and starch, perfumed with rose water or mastic and studded with roasted pistachios or hazelnuts. Dusting each cube in icing sugar keeps it tender for coffee and holiday platters.
From Pistachio Rolls to Snowy Syrian Mastic Raha
Crafting authentic lokum is a slow art: sugar syrup and starch are simmered and stirred for hours until the mixture turns translucent, supple and cleanly chewable without sticking to the teeth. Jewelled cubes and sliced rolls packed with whole green Aleppo pistachios or crunchy roasted hazelnuts are prized gift-box favourites. In Syria, confectioners also make 'raha dar'awiyeh' – a snowy-white, extra-pliable lokum scented with natural Chios mastic gum.
Beside Turkish Coffee, Sandwiched in Biscuits and Baked in Maamoul
Across the Levant, Turkey and Egypt, a cube of pistachio lokum is the classic sweet accompaniment to a small cup of strong Turkish or Arabic coffee. In Syrian, Lebanese, Palestinian and Jordanian homes, a beloved family treat is 'biscuit bi raha' – pressing a soft piece of white mastic or rose lokum between two plain tea biscuits into an instant sweet sandwich. Bakers also tuck cubes of lokum inside semolina dough to bake tender maamoul bi raha cookies.
How to Keep Lokum Soft and Fresh
Always store lokum in a tightly closed box cushioned in its fine dusting of icing sugar and starch in a cool cupboard at room temperature. Never put lokum in the refrigerator, as cold temperatures cause the starch to firm up and lose its delicate bounce.
