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. I have a sahlab powder recipe and delicious variations (chocolate)!

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

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.

Recipe FAQs

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