Did You Know Baklava Is Actually Meant To Be Eaten Upside Down?

Have you ever eaten baklava and thought, “Delicious, but why is this flaky sheet stuck to the roof of my mouth?” It’s because most of us, especially here in India, where baklava has become the new darling of dessert counters, are eating it completely wrong. Yes. There is a correct technique to eating baklava, and once you learn it, you’ll never go back to the casual, everyday nibble.

Is There A Right Way To Eat Baklava?

Baklava has a long, royal history. Born in the kitchens of the Ottoman Empire, perfected by Turkish, Greek, and Middle Eastern dessert masters, and passed down like a treasure through generations, baklava has travelled across cultures and continents.

Today, you’ll find it in Istanbul’s old sweet shops, in Lebanese households, in Persian cafés, and in almost every Indian city. India has embraced baklava with pure love. But in all this excitement, nobody told us that baklava comes with a correct eating style. Well, baklava is actually meant to be eaten upside down. Not sideways, not as it is, not layer by layer, but upside down.

When you flip it, this syrup touches your tongue first and gives you that immediate burst of sweetness. If you don’t flip it, that syrup goes straight to the roof of your mouth, and the top flakes get stuck. You lose half the fun. When you eat it the normal way, the crispy layers on the top get crushed against your palate and stick there. But when you turn it upside down, they fall onto your tongue instead, so you actually taste the crunch.

When it’s upside down, the pistachios, the butter, the honey, and the nuts all come closer to your nose as you take the bite. It’s part of the entire charm, as baklava is a dessert that you smell before you taste. Forget the knife and fork. Forget slicing it neatly. Real baklava is meant to be picked up gently, held between your fingers, turned upside down, and eaten in two big, satisfying bites.

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The Dessert Hack You Need To Know

Baklava is not meant to be eaten like a biscuit or a pastry. It’s meant to be experienced. You can try pairing up with fresh lemonade to cut the sweetness beautifully or a cup of strong Turkish black tea to balance the richness. And the best part is that it is a dessert for all times. You can start your mornings with a syrupy bite or indulge in it in the evenings or savour it to curb your midnight cravings.

So the next time you see a piece of baklava, pick it up gently, turn it upside down, smell the butter and the nuts and then bite into it. Suddenly, it will feel like a tiny dessert festival happening in your mouth. Once you try the right way, you’ll never look at baklava the same again.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva/Zoryanchik