Turkish delight

A soft jelly confection of Turkish origin — also called lokum, lukum, or rahat — made by slowly cooking flavoured syrups with corn starch, letting the mixture set, cutting it into cubes, and rolling the pieces in icing sugar. Classic flavours build on orange or lemon juice with rose water or orange-flower water; a mint version uses peppermint oil. Colour follows the ingredients, usually white, pink, or green. The starch gel gives the characteristic chewy-elastic bite. High sugar keeps microbes in check, but hygienic manufacture, controlled setting and drying, and protection from moisture uptake keep texture and safety right.