sahlab

Sahlab, also spelled sahlep or salep, is a hot, milky beverage popular in the Middle East, the Balkans, and parts of North Africa. It is traditionally prepared by dissolving salep, a powder made from the dried tubers of wild orchids, in hot milk or water, then sweetening and flavoring with rosewater, vanilla, or other aromatics before cooking gently until the mixture thickens into a smooth, custard-like drink. The finished beverage is typically topped with ground cinnamon and chopped pistachios, sometimes with rose petals for garnish.

Historically, salep powder was a valued commodity in the Ottoman Empire and neighboring regions. The orchid tubers are slow to harvest, and some species are threatened or protected, leading to regulatory restrictions. As a result, many modern preparations use substitutes such as corn starch, potato starch, or tapioca to mimic the texture, often with flavorings intended to approximate the aroma of real salep.

Sahlab is commonly associated with winter markets and cafés, where it is served hot to evoke warmth and comfort. Regional preparations vary in sweetness and toppings but share the core thickened milk base. In recent decades, authentic salep has become less common in some areas due to conservation concerns and trade restrictions, though the drink remains a recognizable traditional beverage in many communities.