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Sahlep, Turkey
Sweet Turkish coffee turbo-
charges many a visitor around the
palaces and bazaars of Istanbul. But
Turkey’s preferred winter warmer is
sahlep, hot sweet milk infused with
orchid root powder. Orchid-based
drinks have a long history, used as
an aphrodisiac by the Romans (who
took the suggestive shape of the root
rather literally). But while notions
of sahlep’s romantic effects have
been all but abandoned, the creamily
nourishing beverage – with the
faintest of floral notes – is enjoyed
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across the Middle East, sometimes sprinkled with
orange blossom water, coconut or raisins.
Ask a local where to find authentic sahlep in Turkey,
as cheap cornflour-thickened imitations abound.