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What is Turkish ‐ Maras Ice Cream ?
Maras Ice Cream is a creamy, smooth Turkish ice cream with an elasIc texture.
You have to chew it; it melts as you chew.
Maras Ice Cream is made from milk, sugar and powder from the tubers of wild
orchids ("Dactylorhiza Osmanica") which the Turks call "Osmaniye orkidesi.”
These oval tubers grow in pairs. The best ones dry to the colour of alabaster, indicaVng a high
mucilage content. The tubers are dried, then ground into a whiVsh powder called "salep"
Which is used in the ice cream.
The milk used can be goat's, sheep's or cow's.
When mixed, the mixture is then pounded with metal rods or wooden paddles for 20 minutes
to develop its elasVcity. It becomes so sVff it can be hung from a hook.
It is made in different flavours such as vanilla, chocolate, red currant, peach, pistachio, etc.
History Notes for Maras Ice Cream
Maras Ice Cream has been made in Maras since the 1600`s.
Language Notes about Maras Ice Cream
In Turkish, Maras Ice Cream is called "salepi dondurma.”
"Dondurma" is "ice cream" in Turkish.