4 Things You Didn't Know About Baklava - Bodrum (2024)

FAQs

4 Things You Didn't Know About Baklava - Bodrum? ›

The 33 layers of filo used in the Greek version of this dish represent the 33 years that Jesus Christ lived on earth. The 17th of November is celebrated as Baklava Day. In Turkish households, this day is observed with the highest enthusiasm and it is common to smell the freshly baked Baklava wafting from the kitchens.

The 33 layers of filo used in the Greek version of this dish represent the 33 years that Jesus Christ lived on earth. The 17th of November is celebrated as Baklava Day. In Turkish households, this day is observed with the highest enthusiasm and it is common to smell the freshly baked Baklava wafting from the kitchens.

Cultural Significance

In Turkey, baklava is more than just a dessert; it is a cherished tradition during festive occasions such as weddings and the Eid holidays, symbolizing sweetness and joy.

History. The three main proposals for the roots of baklava are the Greek placenta cake, the Medieval Arab/Persian lauzinaj, and the Central Asian Turkic tradition of layered breads. There are also claims attributing baklava to the Assyrians, according to which baklava was prepared by them in the 8th century BC.

Ingredients In Baklava

Phyllo (or Filo) Dough: Thin sheets of unleavened pastry dough. Nuts: Chopped nuts, typically walnuts, pistachios, almonds or cashews. Butter or Oil: Melted butter or vegetable oil, used to brush the layers of phyllo dough. Sugar: Added to the nut mixture and the sweet syrup.

Baklava is one of the most famous desserts in the Middle East. It is also a popular dessert in many other countries. It has a sweet and crunchy taste that makes it a perfect choice for after-dinner. Baklava is a classic Turkish dessert, and it has been around for centuries.

"The ingredients are expensive, and we hope that our citizens can be sensitive about prices," said Mehmet Akincioglu, chairman of the Baklava Producers Committee of Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce, according to local reports. Gaziantep, a city near the Syrian border, boasts a centuries-old tradition of baklava making.

Some people believe that the word “baklava” actually came from Mongolia, where the root “bayla-” means “to tie, wrap, or pile up.” In this case, the word uses the “pile up” definition to refer to the act of layering the phyllo. However, this word is actually borrowed from Turkish!

How Long Baklava Lasts. If sealed without any air, our baklava can have a shelf life of a year. Once opened and left unsealed, baklava is good for two weeks until it starts going bad. You'll want to be sure to check any leftovers before enjoying it.

The baklava Greek region has a much softer texture due to the thick syrup. On the other hand, the Turkish baklava, with its thicker, heavier dough and filling entirely with pistachios, has a more substantial, chewy texture and a rich, nutty flavor.

What do Greeks call baklava? ›

Baklava is an extra syrupy dessert that Greeks call 'Siropiasta'. Syrupy desserts ('Siropiasta') are very popular in Greek cuisine and with good reason! Greek Baklava is a delicious traditional dessert made of layers of crispy golden brown phyllo, filled with chopped walnuts and garnished with honey syrup.

Some historians still claim that the baklava recipe has its roots in Ancient Greece, where they made the gastrin, a sweet very similar to the current baklava. Others say that baklava originates from the Byzantine era.

The origins of baklava date back to ancient times. Around the eighth century B.C.E., people in the Assyrian Empire, which spread across parts of modern-day Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Syria and Turkey, arranged unleavened flatbreads in layers, with chopped nuts in between, to be enjoyed during special events.

Fıstıklı Baklava

This is the most common in Türkiye, it simply means pistachio baklava. It's usually cut into squares or small rectangles and sprinkled with pistachio as well as featuring chopped pistachios inside the layers of dough.

Baklava is originally from Turkey, Greece, and the Middle East, but it was brought to Hungary by Turkish invaders during the 16th century. Hungary revised it and made it part of their culture as the strudel. 2. It has strong religious roots.

However, it's generally accepted that the first form of baklava came from the Assyrian empire, around 800 BC, where layers of bread dough were stretched thinly and baked with chopped nuts and honey for special occasions.

Like most bakery items, eggs are used to help bake the baklava in some recipes. Some recipes don't require eggs or the egg wash mentioned earlier, so be sure to ask wherever you want to order your baklava.