Arabic & Levantine Pantry Guide
What is sahlab (salep)? The creamy winter milk drink
Sahlab (also spelled salep or sahlep) is a thick, velvety hot milk drink enjoyed across the Levant, Egypt and Turkey on cold winter evenings. Scented with mastic and orange blossom water, it is poured into mugs and topped with ground cinnamon, shredded coconut and chopped nuts.
What is in sahlab powder?
Historically, sahlab was ground from the dried tubers of wild mountain orchids, whose natural mucilage gave hot milk a uniquely stretchy, silky body. Today, everyday pantry tins and sachets of instant sahlab blend fine cornstarch or rice flour with sugar and traditional flavourings such as mastic gum, vanilla or orange blossom; check the label on each pack for its exact composition. Simmered with whole milk, the powder thickens in minutes into a comforting winter drink.
How to make and garnish a mug of sahlab
To avoid lumps, always whisk the sahlab powder into cold milk before turning on the stove. Heat the saucepan over medium heat while stirring continuously with a whisk until the milk comes to a gentle boil and thickens to the consistency of pouring custard. Off the heat, stir in a pinch of crushed mastic and a teaspoon of orange blossom or rose water if using plain powder. Ladle immediately into warm mugs and crown each cup with a generous dusting of cinnamon, desiccated coconut, golden raisins and crushed pistachios or walnuts.
