North Africa · Drink
Sahlab (Orchid Tuber Starch Warm Milk Pudding Drink)
Luxurious, comforting Egyptian winter milk beverage thickened with aromatic salep starch and garnished with toasted coconut, nuts, and cinnamon.
The story
Sahlab warms bustling Egyptian street cafes (ahwas) and living rooms on chilly winter nights from Alexandria down through Cairo. Historically concocted using the ground dried tubers of wild Orchis mascula orchids, modern urban kitchens blend pure salep or high-grade cornstarch with aromatic gum resins. The hallmark of a masterfully poured cup is its glossy, coating viscosity that bridges the line between a rich beverage and a light spoonable pudding.
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