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Istanbul, Turkey’s most populous city, is located on both sides of the Bosphorus River. The Bosphorus is the strait that links the Black Sea with the Marmara Sea. It is also considered the cultural and financial hub of Turkey as well as being one of the most popular tourist destinations in this region of the world. For all intensive purposes, Istanbul is oftentimes viewed as being the bridge between Asia and Europe from a cultural and physical standpoint.

If you’re thinking that Istanbul is the city of “1,001 Nights” situated in the desert and surrounded by palm trees everywhere you travel, you’re in for a surprise because the city is actually sitting on the same latitude that New York City does. The climate is a testimonial to this fact as it gets cloudy and either rains or snows on a regular basis during the colder months of fall and winter.

Putting all this to the side, the cuisine of Turkey is something that you want to experience, especially the desserts. The following is a list of the 5 best desserts in Istanbul that you want to sample when visiting this historical city:

Baklava – by far, this is one of the most popular desserts among locals and international travelers alike. Baklava is made from layers of phyllo dough and filled with either chopped pistachios or walnuts. It is usually sweetened with either honey or sweet syrup. Although the history of this dessert is not documented very well, it has been a favorite for centuries.

Lokum (Turkish Delight) – another popular favorite that is comprised mostly of starch and sugar. It is typically flavored with lemon and rosewater, and usually packaged in small cubes and eaten the same way. These cubes are dusted with copra or icing sugar in order to prevent stickiness. It is made with small nut pieces such as hazelnuts, pistachios, or walnuts.

Kadayıf and Künefe – Kadayıf pastry has the appearance of noodle threads in that it is long and thin. The pastry is heated with butter for a short time and then it is adorned with hot syrup. Künefe is a variant form of the former dessert and consists of a special cheese that is placed within the pastry.

Cezerye – a Turkish confection that is semi-gelatinous in nature and is made with pureed carrots, dates, or figs. It is packed with nuts such as pistachios and then coated with a sprinkling of shredded coconut. It is normally cut up into 1” by 2” chips and is usually only served on special occasions.

Beyoğlu Chocolate – this special chocolate is named after Beyoğlu, Istanbul’s European district. It is made with almonds, hazelnuts, or pistachios and you can usually fine this in some of the smaller shops located on Istiklal Avenue.

Photo by gsz

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