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    Home » Recipes » Beverages

    Sahlab Recipe (Sahlab Powder)

    Published: Feb 7, 2023 Updated: Oct 27, 2023 Author: Roxana Begum· This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Sahlab recipe pin image.

    Sahlab is a creamy and delicious beverage with a thin pudding like consistency. Often flavored with orange blossom and cinnamon, this is easy to make and so soothing. I have a sahlab powder recipe and delicious variations (chocolate)!

    Sahlab served in tall glasses.

    Table of Contents

    • What is Sahlab or Salep?
    • What does Sahlab Taste Like?
    • Recipe Ingredients
    • How To Make Sahlab
    • Top Tips
    • Readymade Mixes
    • Sahlab Powder Recipe
    • Variations
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Middle Eastern Desserts
    • Sahlab Recipe (Sahlab Powder)
      • Ingredients
      • Equipment
      • Instructions
      • Notes
      • Nutrition
    • More Delicious Beverages

    What is Sahlab or Salep?

    Sahlab, a popular middle eastern beverage, traditionally made with a starchy flour prepared from the tubers of certain wild orchids. The starch in those tubers contains the polysaccharide glucomannan.

    The origins of this beverage were in the erstwhile Ottoman empire, through which it became widely popular in the middle east, eastern Mediterranean and all the way to Europe.

    Further, due to the popularity of this drink, that specific variety of wild orchids have been over used, bringing them to the brink of extinction. Therefore, Sahlab drink powder made with real orchids is never exported and is in fact illegal.

    Middle eastern thin pudding drink with a variety of toppings.

    What does Sahlab Taste Like?

    The beverage is like a very thin pudding in consistency, with tiny crushed toppings, which you would relish like in a fruit punch.

    A hot steaming, milky sahlab is a treat in wintertime, rainy days or just anytime. Think of it as a great alternative for hot chocolate or egg nog during the holidays. I had this delicious drink at cafes in the middle east and was hooked on it. So I had to try making it at home.

    Recipe Ingredients

    This is what you need for this middle eastern milk pudding beverage.

    Ingredients needed for making the drink.
    • Milk: You can use whole milk, reduced fat, or plant based milk.
    • Corn Starch: This is the thickener. Potato starch is an option. You could also try ground barley powder.
    • Sweetener: Honey, maple syrup, sugar or sweetener of your choice.
    • Flavors: Use orange blossom water to flavor the milk. You can use rose water instead. Add vanilla for an extra special touch.
    • Ground cinnamon: Sprinkle this on top. Try ground cardamom for a change.
    • Toppings:
      • Desiccated coconut is available online and at Indian or middle eastern stores. You can try shredded coconut.
      • Chopped walnuts or pistachios
      • Finely chopped dried fruits such as raisins, dried apricots or cherries (optional).

    How To Make Sahlab

    **Brief overview here. Full recipe is at the end of post. Sahlab powder recipe also included.

    • Whisk milk, cornstarch and sweetener. Bring it to a slow boil at medium heat, stirring in between.
    • Cook until thick like heavy cream consistency. Stir in vanilla and orange blossom water.
    • Serve it steaming hot in cups, topped with crushed nuts or desiccated coconut and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon.
    Hot steaming sahlab served in tall mugs.

    Top Tips

    • Make sure to stir in between so that it does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
    • Don't make it too thick. It should be pourable.

    Readymade Mixes

    This beverage is sold as a street food, in the cafes and coffee shops of the middle east and mediterranean. Outside of that region, one has to rely on sahlab powder mixes which taste artificial and don't use the real salep orchid anyway. But it is very easy to make sahlab powder at home.

    Sahlab Powder Recipe

    Combine the following ingredients in the amounts listed. Store it in an airtight glass jar in a cool, dark and dry place. Use it in 2 months. You could even try this idea for making a hot chocolate mix.

    Ingredients needed for making the powder mix.
    • 1 cup milk powder, I use nido brand whole milk powder
    • ½ cup coconut milk powder, or ground dried coconut (but this will give it some texture)
    • ½ cup rice flour, corn starch may work as substitute
    • ½ cup powdered sugar, optional, or use sweetener of your choice
    • ¼ cup corn starch
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla sugar, Dr Oetker
    • ½ teaspoon mastic, optional, crushed using mortar and pestle, or ½ teaspoon vanilla

    If you don't have coconut milk powder (available online), substitute with regular whole milk powder. Mastic gum is a plant resin with a nutty flavor and is widely used in middle eastern desserts and drinks. It is available at middle eastern stores.

    Use 3 to 4 tablespoons of the above mix per cup milk. Flavor with orange blossom water and sweeten to your taste with honey, if the mix does not include sugar.

    Egyptian style (optional): Add 3 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds. Use 1 tablespoon extra sesame seeds as topping per cup of sahlab drink.

    A chocolate variation for the Salep drink.

    Variations

    Sahlab recipe is gluten free, vegetarian, low sodium, soy free, egg free and grain free.

    • Vegan: Use plant-based milk and maple syrup.
    • Dairy Free: Make with plant-based milk.
    • Nut Free: Skip the nuts and use seeds such as toasted sesame, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds. Crush the larger seeds if you like. Of course add some desiccated coconut as well.
    • High Protein: Add more non-fat milk powder, whey protein or plant based protein powders.
    • No Added Sugar: Sweeten with dates.
    • Richer: To make it more rich, add cream or enrich milk by grinding it with walnuts.
    • Flavor Variations:
      • Use rose water instead of orange blossom water and top it with a sprinkle of ground cardamom and crushed pistachios. Stir a pinch of ground saffron for a special touch.
      • Chocolate sahlab: Cook with some cocoa (1 tablespoon per cup) or stir in melted chocolate and top with crushed toasted hazelnuts. That's like nutella sahlab!
      • You could even try a sprinkle of holiday spices for a change.
    Overhead view of sahlab topped with dried fruit and served in two cups.

    Recipe FAQs

    What are common sahlab flavors?

    Most often it is flavored with orange blossom and with a dusting of ground cinnamon on top. But in Lebanon and Egypt they usually make it with rose water. In Greece, they sometimes use ground ginger.

    Often it is topped with shredded coconut and/or crushed walnuts. But you can also try finely chopped dried fruit such as raisins, dried apricots and cranberries. The Egyptian sahlab is often topped with toasted sesame seeds.

    Check the non-traditional variations above in the blog post.

    Is sahlab good for you?

    This is a light and comforting dessert with a good amount of high quality protein. It has the omega-3 fatty acids from the walnuts. You can it sweeten with dates or honey to skip refined sugar! It is also topped with extra nuts and dried fruits for your good health.

    What goes well with sahlab?

    It is good by itself. You don't need anything else with it. But if you do want something more, then serve it with salty snacks, crackers or light cookies such as almond biscotti.

    More Middle Eastern Desserts

    • Mahalabia with Chia Seeds
    • Date Walnut Dessert
    • Rice Custard With Jello
    • Persian Marzipan Candy

    ★ DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? PLEASE COMMENT AND GIVE IT A STAR RATING BELOW!

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    Close view of middle eastern thin pudding drink with a variety of toppings.
    5 from 4 votes

    Sahlab Recipe (Sahlab Powder)

    Sahlab is a creamy and delicious beverage with a thin pudding like consistency. Often flavored with orange blossom and cinnamon, this is easy to make and so soothing. Sahlab powder recipe in the notes below and more delicious variations in blog post!
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Cook Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time15 minutes mins
    Print SaveSaved!
    Course :Beverages
    Cuisine :Middle Eastern
    Servings: 4 (6 oz portion)
    Calories: 232kcal
    Author: Roxana Begum

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups whole milk reduced fat, or plant based milk
    • 3 tablespoons corn starch
    • 1½ tablespoons honey maple syrup or 2 tablespoons sugar
    • 1½ tablespoons orange blossom water rose water or 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
    • ⅓  teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 tablespoon desiccated coconut shredded coconut
    • 3 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pistachios
    • 1½ tablespoons finely chopped dried fruits optional, raisins, dried apricots or cherries
    US Customary - Metric

    Equipment

    • Saucepan
    • Whisk
    • Tall Glass Cups
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • In a medium saucepan, whisk milk, corn starch and honey until well combined.
    • Bring it to a slow boil at medium heat, stirring often, and making sure that the mixture does not stick to the bottom of the saucepan.
    • Cook until it reaches a very creamy and thin pudding like consistency, about 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and remove from stove.
    • Stir in orange blossom water. Adjust the sweetener and flavors to your taste.
    • Serve it steaming hot in cups and top it with a sprinkle of cinnamon, shredded coconut, crushed nuts and dried fruit (if using).

    Notes

    Orange blossom water, rose water, desiccated coconut and cardamom are available at Indian or Middle eastern grocery stores and online. Check blog post for tips, recipe FAQs and variations.
    Chocolate Option: Cook with some cocoa (1 tablespoon per cup) or stir in melted chocolate and top with crushed toasted hazelnuts. 
    Sahlab Powder Recipe
    Combine the following ingredients in a mixing bowl. Store in an airtight glass jar in a cool, dark and dry place. Use it in 2 months. 
      • 1 cup milk powder, I use nido whole milk powder
      • ½ cup coconut milk powder, or ground dried coconut (but this will give it some texture)
      • ½ cup rice flour, corn starch may work as substitute
      • ½ cup powdered sugar, optional, or use sweetener of your choice
      • ¼ cup corn starch
      • 2 teaspoons vanilla sugar, Dr Oetker
      • ½ teaspoon mastic, optional, crushed using mortar and pestle, or ½ teaspoon vanilla
    If you don't have coconut milk powder (available online), substitute with regular whole milk powder. Mastic gum is a plant resin with a nutty flavor and is widely used in middle eastern desserts and drinks. It is available at middle eastern stores.
    Use 3 to 4 tablespoons of the above mix per cup milk. Flavor with orange blossom water and sweeten to your taste with honey, if the mix does not have sugar.
    Egyptian style (optional): Add 3 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds. Use 1 tablespoon extra sesame seeds as topping per cup of sahlab.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1(6 oz portion) | Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 77mg | Potassium: 365mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 298IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 237mg | Iron: 0.5mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @thedeliciouscrescent or tag #thedeliciouscrescent!

    More Delicious Beverages

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      Date Shake (4 Ways)
    • Saffron tea served in a glass cup and placed on a table.
      Saffron Tea (3 Ways) & Benefits
    • Close up view of spiced tea served in elegant blue and white cups.
      Masala Chai Recipe
    • Rose flavored Moroccan avocado smoothie served in two glasses.
      Rose Avocado Smoothie (Avocado Milkshake)

    This post was first published on December 23, 2016 and has been updated with improvements in pictures, tips, FAQs and additional enhancements.

    « Sabzi Polo (Persian Herb Rice)
    Dal Palak (Spinach Dal) »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cinnamon Zone

      November 30, 2017 at 4:57 am

      What a beautiful looking drink. Definitely has a middle eastern feel with ingredients such as the dates and the different types of nuts.

      Reply
      • Roxana Begum

        December 04, 2017 at 7:18 pm

        Thank you. So glad you like it :)

        Reply
    2. Hope

      June 21, 2017 at 1:31 am

      I have never tried sahlab before - it looks so creamy and delicious! I love all of the flavours in there!

      Reply
      • Roxana

        June 21, 2017 at 9:05 pm

        Thanks Hope. It is quite soothing. Love it winter time.

        Reply
    3. Catherine

      June 20, 2017 at 9:22 pm

      I would just love to try this! Sounds so exotic and delicious...loving the warm flavors.

      Reply
      • Roxana

        June 20, 2017 at 9:35 pm

        Thanks Catherine. Hope you try it. I just love those natural flavors.

        Reply
    4. Debra C.

      June 20, 2017 at 9:00 pm

      This looks amazing, more like a meal than a drink! I'd serve this up any day - what a treat!

      Reply
      • Roxana

        June 20, 2017 at 9:34 pm

        Thanks Debra. It is pretty satisfying, I agree :)

        Reply
    5. Stephanie

      June 20, 2017 at 7:58 pm

      I've never heard of sahlab before but it sounds really good. Love that it has no refined sugars in it. And the toppings look great.

      Reply
      • Roxana

        June 20, 2017 at 9:33 pm

        Thanks Stephanie. Yes that makes me feel like I can enjoy it more :)

        Reply
    6. Beth

      June 20, 2017 at 7:34 pm

      This looks so delicious with all of the nuts and fruits on top! Very interesting story regarding the orchid!

      Reply
      • Roxana

        June 20, 2017 at 9:32 pm

        Thanks Beth.

        Reply
    7. Luci

      June 20, 2017 at 7:32 pm

      This looks so good and I love the flavors you've included in this recipe. I am dying to try this. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Roxana

        June 20, 2017 at 9:32 pm

        Thank you Luci. So happy you like it :)

        Reply
    8. Kaleigh

      January 02, 2017 at 8:23 pm

      This sounds so delicious. I love all the beautiful toppings!

      Reply
      • Roxana

        January 07, 2017 at 10:46 pm

        Thanks :)

        Reply
    9. Denise

      January 02, 2017 at 7:33 pm

      This looks delicious and warm and cozy this time of year! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Roxana

        January 07, 2017 at 10:45 pm

        Thanks Denise.

        Reply
    10. Katie

      January 02, 2017 at 3:54 pm

      What a flavorful and cozy drink! I'm going to have to try this on a chilly winter day :)

      Reply
      • Roxana

        January 07, 2017 at 10:45 pm

        Thanks Katie. Enjoy!!

        Reply
    11. Abby

      January 01, 2017 at 4:27 pm

      This looks lovely. Orange blossom is one of my favourite flavours so it's so nice to have a recipe incorporating it!!

      Reply
      • Roxana

        January 07, 2017 at 10:44 pm

        Thanks Abby. I love it too :)

        Reply
    12. Mandy

      December 31, 2016 at 4:36 pm

      This sounds great! And I'm curious to try Orange Blossom water :-)

      Reply
      • Roxana

        January 07, 2017 at 10:44 pm

        Thanks Mandy. Hope you like it.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Roxana, registered dietitian and recipe developer. Here I share wholesome & delicious recipes with room for cravings. Healthy makeovers. Step-by-step photos & videos.
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