selam...

I discovered info about this drink when i was hanging around my favorite bookshop few days ago. I haven't taste this drink which is supposed to be made from wild orchid roots?

I want to try this drink... but now i'm back to my hometown in Southeast Asia for awhile. Can I buy this product online and deliver to my country? Which brand or producer should i choose?

Thanks in advance...

A few words about salep. (please stop laughing everyone, I will try and say only a FEW words)

First of all, it was my understanding that it was made from hyacinth roots, but never mind because you can't taste anything 'root' about it. it is heavily flavoured with cinnamon and very sweet.

It is a strange consistency. It is thick, white and semi opaque and is hard to swallow.

Another thing about it is, it depends on where you drink it. Some places make it very badly and others really well. i have my favourite place in Ayvalik and that is the only place I have it.

selam Lyndie,

Your explanation is very good! I see that you drink the freshly made salep/sahlep but is it available in powder mix or convenient pack/sachets - like instant drink mix?

Do you drink it with other snacks like coffee with biscotti for example?

Hmm... must be very good during winter months

Oh but I do like it! Its just one of those things that if its not made properly its not too nice. But in the Pastane in Ayvalik, they make it perfectly and on a windy winters day, there is just nothing like a big cup of boiling hot salep drunk inside in the warm looking out at the Aegean all rough and grey!

Phoena:
You can buy sahlep by internet at this adress:

http://www.ccnow.com/cgi-local/sc_cart.cgi?8885147967467604

"sahlep" as a spice is derived from bulbs of a certain orchid. İt is sold in spice shops, in the form of a white powder.

"sahlep" as a family hot drink is for very cold nights, and is considered to be a remedy if you are showing signs of a cold or coughing.

The authentic recipe is: You mix a teaspoonful of sahlep powder per coffeemug milk, with sugar to taste and bring it to boiling point, on slow heat. You must keep stirring the mix with a wooden spoon constantly, until it boils.

It is served in coffeemugs and is always sprinkled with cinnamon before it is served.

A decent Turk would never stoop down to drink American style sahlep sold in sachets.

Merhaba AlphaF,

hmm.. but as non-turkish, there's no choice Also, I'm not sure if the custom officers @ the airport will allow the powder to go through if it's not properly seal or pack eg. in sachets form.

of course, i prefer to buy from specialty shops but i hvn't been to Turkey... yet

i felt like a spice seller (pardon.. not one of the Spice Girls,ok? ) Each time i travel, i bring along food stuffs from my country and when i'm back home i bring along food from my travel as well.. Seems like i never going to reduce the weigh allowed by airlines !

thank you for explaning in details to me ...