What Is Dondurma, The Delightful Turkish Ice Cream That You Eat With A Knife & Fork?

Istanbul’s bustling streets treat you to Dondurma, which is no ordinary ice cream. Known for its elasticity and resistance to melting, this dessert is often served with a knife and fork. Unlike any other ice cream in the world, it’s a fascination that extends beyond its taste to its preparation and cultural context.

Dondurma’s Global Appeal

 

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While Dondurma remains a quintessentially Turkish dessert, its appeal has transcended national borders, captivating food enthusiasts around the globe. The unique characteristics of Dondurma have intrigued chefs and culinary experts. Its chewy texture and aromatic flavour provide a refreshing alternative to traditional ice creams.

The southern city of Kahramanmaraş is considered the birthplace of Dondurma. The secret to Dondurma’s unique properties lies in two distinctive ingredients: salep and mastic. Salep, a flour derived from the tubers of wild orchids is native to Turkey. This ingredient thickens the ice cream. While mastic, a resin from the mastic tree, adds a subtle chewiness and a hint of pine-like flavour. The perfect consistency is hard to achieve—stretchy enough to play with but creamy enough to satisfy the palate.

In recent years, the global fascination with Dondurma has led to its adaptation in diverse culinary contexts. In some countries, chefs have experimented with incorporating local flavours and ingredients, such as fruits, nuts, and spices, to create innovative variations of the classic treat.

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It’s Also A Culinary Performance

In urban centers like Istanbul, Dondurma shops have become popular destinations for locals and tourists alike, offering a taste of tradition alongside a performance!

Beyond its taste and texture, Dondurma is celebrated for the performance that often accompanies its sale. Vendors, dressed in traditional attire, use long-handled paddles to scoop the ice cream, teasing customers with a playful routine of twirls and flips. Traditionally sold in street carts or small shops, Dondurma vendors are known for their playful antics. They often perform tricks with the ice cream before serving it.  Talented vendors can be found twisting and twirling enormous slabs of Dondurma on Istanbul’s busiest and most famous street, the pedestrian-only Istiklal Avenue. They put on full-on shows for unsuspecting tourists who pay exorbitant prices for this spectacle.

For those who encounter Dondurma for the first time, it is more than a sweet treat. As you savour it with a knife and fork, you realise why it makes for a standout treat!

Cover image credits: Canva