Mahlab (aka Mahleb or Mahlepi) is an aromatic spice made from the seeds of St Lucie Cherry. The cherry stones are cracked to extract the seed kernel, which is about 5 mm diameter, soft and chewy on extraction, but ground to a powder before use. Its strong aroma means that it only needs to be used in very small quantities, the flavour is similar to a combination of bitter almond and cherry.
When mahlab first hits your tongue it tastes a bit like cherries, a bit like roses, and a bit like almonds. There's a hint of vanilla and something quite floral. Its aftertaste, though, is quite bitter. When cooked, everything changes. It's fruity and rich, but subtle. It's a regal spice that adds majesty to sweets, an excellent mystery ingredient that contributes a whole palette of flavours without dominating an end result.
It has been used for centuries in the Middle East and the surrounding areas (especially in Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, the Palestinian territories, Iraq) as a sweet/sour, nutty addition to bread, cheese, cookies and biscuits.
The spice arrived in only a day or two. It was very fragrant and fresh.
R
Robyn Bakker
Excellent!
Thanks so much for the wonderful spice for my Ma’amoul biscuits. Fantastic service and the extra complementary spice as a ‘thank you’ was a lovely surprise. Thank you. 👏
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