Monday, March 16, 2009

Eating Roses

I was at the grocery recently and found a new little section featuring foreign foods. The one that caught my eye was a small packet labeled Sultan's Turkish Delight! Being a "Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe" fan, I had always wondered what would make Edmund choose Turkish Delight when he could choose anything he liked. This tiny package was a bit expensive, both in price ($1.59) and calories (200), but, like Edmund, I simply couldn't resist.

Later, after lunch, I opened the package and found a small rectangular candy covered in milk chocolate. I bit slowly in to it, revealing a jewel tone raspberry colored filling. I recoiled a bit from the texture, which resembled something between figs and gummy bears. Or maybe gumdrops. Not something I am at all fond of. But at the same time, my mouth filled with the unmistakable fragrance of roses! I read the package. The filling, mostly sugar, was also suffused with rose water. It was hard to discern whether I was truly tasting it, or smelling it. I took another nibble. The chocolate joined together with the roses to form an irresistibly unique sensation. The filling's texture didn't seem so bad. Really, it was almost... good. Another nibble. This time I just let the roses waft through me, the texture setting it off perfectly. I had never eaten anything like it!
Perhaps it is magic food after all. Legend has it a certain sultan, trying to amuse and please his harem, had been experimenting with perfume. Then he decided to turn his hand to candy, and created this seductive delicacy. Perhaps there is more to the story. Perhaps a genie, owing one more wish, was pressed in to service and the candy had special, magical ingredients ideal for soothing the fretful. Maybe you grew up on Arabian Nights, but never truly believed them. If so, you had better avoid anything labeled "A Product of Turkey." Or else you, too, may end up, mouth full of roses, and under the Sultan's spell!

11 comments:

Cathy said...

Hello Tracie
Thank you for bringing this subject up - Turkish Delight is one of the most adorable and morish things on this earth.
Yes I acknowledge I have a sweet tooth and chocolate is my second name but you could tear them all out and I'd still take raw (as in non chocolate coated TD) Turkish Delight over anything else.
Delish, haven't had any for a while and the very thought of it has me drooling. Yum Yum :))
Take care
Cathy

Anonymous said...

A mouthful of roses - hmmm, I can't quite imagine that. Like you, if I had seen that package I would have snatched it right up to try, though (I also love the Narnia books). I'm going to check the foreign section for Turkish Delight today when I go to the grocery ... :)

Cherdecor said...

Hmmmmmm! What an interesting flavor! Would you buy it again?

Connie said...

hmmm....I bought some at World Market when I was reading the entire Chroncles of Narnia series...yours sounds better than mine...I just did not like it! Even with a vivid imagination...maybe it was just the variety!

Anonymous said...

I've seen (and eaten) different varieties of Turkish delights but haven't tried the ones with rose water. Now you've got me curious enough to buy a package the next time! Your photo also reminds me of the intense fragrance of Double Delight. Sometimes, I wish I could taste that flavor, it's so vibrant.

Anonymous said...

I have never had it. Now I'm curious :>)

Sparky said...

Oh, Turkish Delights! [drool] I wish I could eat things like that again. :o) ♥ ∞

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

This is so odd. This is the second post I've read on Turkish delight in about a week.

P.S. You weren't disjointed at all in your comment today.

Lavinia said...

I can only take a 'hint' of rosewater. If its too overpowering I can't eat it. I love the legend you've related here.....

Technonana said...

I too have wondered what it was that so enthrawed and enticed Edmond!! I am not sure that I would like the taste, but I might be tempted to try.
When I think about how Edmond delighted in the treat, it takes me back to when I was a child and my grandfather would bring home homemade candies from his store.
Just thinking about it reminds me of the taste and texture of them.

Louise said...

I would rather smell or wear perfume, I really don't like eating it. Have you ever eaten Parma Violets, yuk! Look up Frys Turkish Delight which we have over here in the UK, I remember my Mum liking them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fry's_Turkish_Delight

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