Pekmez

Pekmez (Turkish: pekmez, from Oghuz Turkic bekmes [1][2], Azerbaijani: bəkməz/doşab) is a molasses-like syrup obtained after condensing juices of fruit must, especially grape by boiling it with a coagulant agent like wood ashes or ground carob seeds. It is used as a syrup or mixed with tahini for breakfast. In Azerbaijan, pekmez is also mixed with natural yogurt and consumed as a refreshment during summer time.

Pekmez (Üzüm Pekmezi), a Turkish syrup made of grapes (grape syrup) or (Keçiboynuzu Pekmezi) of carob

History

Fruit molasses, defrutum, goes back to the classical period.[3]

Regional variants

In Turkey, sugar beet (şeker pancarı), figs (incir) or mulberry (dut) are often used, as well as juniper berries (andiz). Pekmez made from carob (keçiboynuz or harnup) is popularly recommended as a treatment for iron deficiency anemia. In Azerbaijan, pekmez is made mostly from mulberry, grape, rosehip or pomegranates.

In the Balkans, it is more jam-like in texture and usually made of plums. In Greece, it is called petimezi (πετιμέζι).

In Arab cuisine, dibs or dibis is made from pomegranates, grapes, carob,[4] or dates.[3]

See also

References
  1. TDK Online - Pekmez entry
  2. Nisanyan.com - Etymological Dictionary - Pekmez
  3. Alan Davidson, ed., The Oxford Companion to Food
  4. Maan Z. Madina, Arabic-English Dictionary, s.v.

Further reading
  • Media related to Pekmez at Wikimedia Commons


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