What is Sam Tatli?

Turkey's street dessert, Sam Tatlisi, is one of the most famous. Despite the fact that this sweet is from Syria (am is the Turkish word for Damascus), it is also popular in Turkey.

This cake is also popular in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as in some Balkan countries like Greece, Bulgaria, and Albania, as well as in Western Asia's Armenia. It's sold everywhere, in restaurants and bakeries, and someone will always sell you a slice.

Sam Tatlisi cake is more than a crumbly, delectable semolina cake. The sponge is immersed in a sweet syrup mixed with orange and lemon juices. The citrus (in the form of zest in the sponge and juice in the syrup) lends a bright flavor to the sam tatlisi cake.

What are Sam Tatlisi's other names?

This semolina cake is known as basbousa in many Middle Eastern countries, but also harissa or harissa hloua in Tunisia and Alexandria, Egypt. In Algeria, it is known as kalb el louz, in Morocco, as chamia, in Israel as safra, in Kuwait as pastsha, in Lebanon or Syria as namoura, in Greece as revani, in Cyprus as shammali, and in Armenia as shamali.

Serving and Enjoying Sam Tatlisi

To balance out the sweetness, Sam Tatlisi is usually eaten with milk, pistachios, and ice cream. It is immersed in a cold sugar syrup as soon as it comes out of the oven, which can contain lemon or orange juice (or zest), orange blossom water, or rose water, as well as spices like cloves or cinnamon.
In Greece, Turkey, Egypt, and other countries throughout North Africa and the Middle East, however, various versions of this syrup-soaked semolina cake are served at home and in restaurants. A cup of solid black Turkish coffee or a glass of mint tea are the perfect accompaniments to a slice of Sam Tatlisi cake.

Many Jewish and Muslim cultures all over the world enjoy this cake. Tishpishti (tishpitti or tezpishti) is the name given to it by Sephardic Jews in Turkey. It is prepared by Turkish Jews for special occasions including Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and Pesach (Passover). During Pesach, the most common cake is Tishpishti, which is made with matzo flour instead of semolina (unleavened bread). During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims make it a must have dessert for Iftar.

Do you enjoy Turkish food? Have you ever tried Sam Tatlisi, a delectable Turkish dessert, after a delightful meal? If you haven't already done so, you can. It will undoubtedly refuel your energy after a long day at work or a stressful day, as well as provide a mouth-watering experience.

Come Visit us! 

Sahan Mezopotamian

35-39 Auburn Road, AUBURN, NSW 2144, Australia