OneTrueSentence – If beauty is designed to bring pleasure to our mind and senses, then sahlab is a beautiful beverage.
So, today I ventured out to Café Landwer through the cold streets of a Boston winter morning. Arriving at the café, I ordered what seemed to be a perfect drink to imbibe and warm my chilled viscera.
When the waitress arrived, we discussed their Sahlab drink listed on their menu. Sahlab, is a beloved winter drink in the Middle East; a creamy delight that warms both body and soul. It is traditionally made with a powder made from dried crushed orchid tubers, known as salep. The powder lends a unique floral flavor and silky texture to the drink. With added use of rose water, and sometimes orange blossom water, the floral flavors are even more enhanced. Served hot and topped with cinnamon, pistachios (and other crushed nuts of choice), and coconut, sahlab is the perfect antidote to chilly weather.
This is somewhat like a dessert more than just a drink. I enjoyed it as snack, or dessert, it is not excessively sweet but is pleasantly filling. I was even told it can be chilled and served as a pudding as well. This cafe served their sahlab topped with crushed walnuts, which provided a crunchy texture to compliment the notes of cinnamon and the flakes of coconut to round out the floral flavors as well.
This luxurious beverage has a rich history dating back to Ottoman times. This comforting drink continues to be a cherished tradition, offering a taste of Middle Eastern hospitality in every sip. If you find the opportunity to sample this beverage on a cold wintry day, I believe you will find a warmth and comfort more subtle than a hot cocoa.