SAHLEP

It derived from orchid plants. It obtained from underground tubers.It form a powdered..Flowers are racemose or spike.The body is shaped upright and cylinder. It is in the potato size and it is collected by digging.There are lots of colours such as red, magenta, purple, yellow and green. The length of the flower would be cm.Some of the flowers will not open.

 Sahlep was a popular beverage in the lands of the Ottoman Empire.  Orchids have fascinated mankind for more than 3000 years, not only with its aesthetic beauty but also with its medical might. The idea of making a drink out of this enchanting flower belongs to Turks, thanks to their religious belief. In the 8th century, Turkish people converted to Islam. According to the belief, they are not allowed to drink alcoholic beverages. So they came up with the idea of salep, a hot milky drink to warm you up during the cold winters.

 Tubers of wild orchids are washed, boiled, dried and finally grinded into flour. This is the essence of this soft and warming, but also medical drink. The healing power of salep comes from glucomannan, which heals respiratory problems like bronchitis and cough. It empowers the heart and the mind, stops diarrhea and warms up the body. Especially if it’s consumed with ginger and/or cinnamon, its effect is amplified.

 The Kahramanmaraş region of Turkey is a major producer of sahlab known as Salepi Maraş.  This precious flower grows almost everywhere in Turkey, and there are lots of varieties. Yet, some varieties are facing extinction. To get 1 kilo of salep flour, more than 1000 orchid tubers are pulled out of the soil. And it takes up to 7 or 8 years for the orchid’s tubers to grow sufficiently to use for salep production. Therefore, export of salep is prohibited. However, instant versions with salep flavor are exported.

 There are too many orchid brand.  Some of these; Sek,Nestle,Dr.oetker,İçim,Kenton etc

 (for one liter milk)  1 liter of milk  4 dessert spoon sugar  1 heaping dessert spoon of orchid  1 piece stick cinnamon  For over :  ground cinnamon

 Mixed sugar and orchid in a small saucepan  Milk were added slowly.  Cinnamon sticks thrown into the saucepan  Mix until simmering  Fire are reduced after boiling for a 15 minutes  Served sprinkled with ground cinnamon.

 Sahlep has a great aroma and smells delicious. Turkish people love to drink Sahlep on cold days.  It also has medicinal traits, such as for sore throats. It has been used for a long time to treat chronic diarrhea, digesting problems and gum disease.

Salep Orchid Latin name: Orchis mascula Sanskrit/Indian name: Salabmisri General information:  Legend has it that witches administered a drink made from the fresh tubers of Salep Orchid to promote true love and a drink brewed with its withered tubers to cure lovesickness!  In Ayurveda, Salep Orchid has traditionally been used as an aphrodisiac and a nervine tonic. Therapeutic constituents:  The tubers of Salep Orchid contain bitter principals and a volatile oil, which give the flower its key therapeutic properties. Key therapeutic benefits:  As an aphrodisiac, Salep Orchid is beneficial in treating male sexual disorders like erectile dysfunction and impotence.  It is a nervine tonic that treats stress and mental disorders.

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KASIM 2014 U Ğ UR KAPLAN