Turkish Delight (Lokum)

Turkish Delight, or Lokum, is a fragrant and chewy confection with a history as rich as its flavor. These delicate, jewel-like cubes are made from a gel of starch and sugar, and can be flavored with anything from rosewater and citrus to pistachios and dates. This recipe will guide you through the process of making a classic rosewater-flavored Turkish Delight. It requires patience and constant stirring, but the result is a truly unique treat that is soft, slightly sticky, and melts in your mouth. Dusted with powdered sugar, it’s a beautiful confection to serve with coffee or to give as a gift. The process of making Turkish Delight is a form of candy making, and it requires precision with temperature and a lot of patience. The long simmering time is what transforms the simple sugar and starch mixture into the characteristic chewy, jelly-like texture. Using a candy thermometer is highly recommended to ensure you reach the "soft ball" stage accurately. The cream of tartar is also an important ingredient, as it acts as an interfering agent that helps to prevent the sugar from crystallizing, ensuring a smooth final product. While rosewater is the classic flavor, feel free to experiment with other extracts once you’ve mastered the basic technique.