Turkish Delight (Lokum) Guide: History, Best Flavours and How to Store It

Soft, chewy and dusted with powdered sugar, Turkish delight — lokum in Turkish — is one of the most famous sweets in the world. In Istanbul it is offered to guests with coffee, given as a gift on holidays and sold in beautiful boxes at old confectioners’ shops. Here is a short guide to its history, the most popular flavours and how to keep it fresh.

A short history

Lokum is made from sugar, water and starch, cooked slowly for hours until it turns into a soft, elastic gel. The sweet became famous in Istanbul in the late 18th century; one of the best-known names is Hacı Bekir, a confectioner whose shop has been associated with lokum since 1777. European travellers took it home and called it “Turkish delight” — and the name stuck.

Popular flavours

• Rose (gül): the classic — delicate, floral and pink.
• Pistachio (fıstıklı): studded with green pistachios, a favourite gift choice.
• Hazelnut (fındıklı): rich and nutty, made with hazelnuts from the Black Sea region.
• Double-roasted (çifte kavrulmuş): cooked longer for a deeper, caramel-like flavour, usually with nuts.
• Pomegranate, orange and lemon: fruity and refreshing.
• Coconut-coated or rolled (sarma): rolled lokum wrapped around nuts and covered in coconut.

How to serve Turkish delight

The traditional way is with a cup of Turkish coffee: the sweetness balances the bitter coffee perfectly. Lokum also pairs well with tea, and many people enjoy it as a light dessert after dinner. Serve it on a small plate with toothpicks, dusted with a little extra powdered sugar or coconut.

How to store it

• Keep it in a cool, dry place in its box or an airtight container — not in the fridge, which makes it hard and sticky.
• Keep the powdered sugar or starch coating: it stops the pieces sticking together.
• Avoid direct sunlight and heat.
• Check the best-before date on the box. Plain lokum generally keeps longer than varieties with nuts or cream.

Choosing Turkish delight as a gift

A mixed box is the safest choice when you don’t know someone’s favourite flavour. Pistachio and double-roasted varieties feel especially generous, while rose lokum is a classic for anyone discovering Turkish delight for the first time. Pair a box with Turkish coffee and a pair of cups for a complete gift.

Discover our selection of Turkish delight and other Turkish sweets, packed in Istanbul and shipped worldwide.