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    Home » Recipes » Drinks » Sahlab (Mediterranean Milk Pudding)

    Sahlab (Mediterranean Milk Pudding)

    March 29, 2021 · Radwa · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Sahlab is a rich and creamy hot drink made with milk, sugar and Sahlab powder and topped with some nuts (usually pistachio) and cinnamon. This traditional Mediterranean hot drink is very popular in countries like Egypt, Turkey and Greece. This warm and comforting drink is often served in winter or cooler weather.

    Sahlab is a rich and creamy hot drink
    This post may contain affiliate links. See Disclosure.

    Spices added to Sahlab vary based on your taste preference; you can add cinnamon, ginger,  ground nutmeg or cloves. Chopped nuts are the traditional topping, especially pistachio; however, you don’t have to use nuts. Try it with some toasted sesame seeds, chia seeds or poppy seeds. If you want to keep it simple, just top it with cinnamon and shredded coconut. 

    When buying Sahlab, I recommend reading the label very carefully as there are a lot of products called Sahlab, and when you read the label, you find the main ingredient is sugar-flavoured cornstarch, not Sahlab.

    Sahlab is a rich and creamy hot drink

    What is the origin of Sahlab?

    Sahlab was used for medical purposes in the 17th century in the lands of the Ottoman Empire. It was known as ‘Saloop’ in England in the 18th century.

    What is Sahlab?

    Sahlab is a flour made from the orchid genus ‘Orchis’ tubers. This thick milk drink has an earthy taste and a creamy texture. It is not easy to buy It outside the Mediterranean area. I brought mine with me from Egypt. However, it is easy to make Sahlab powder from scratch and enjoy the same delicious taste.

    Sahlab or Mediterranean Milk Pudding

    How to make  Sahlab powder from scratch?

    Mix the following:

    ½ cup powdered sugar
    1 tsp vanilla Powder
    ½ cup powdered milk
    3 Tbsp sesame seeds (toasted)
    ½ cup rice flour
    ⅛ cup cornstarch

    Mix all the ingredients well, then store in a clean, dry jar. 

    What are the ingredients for a Sahlab drink?

    Sahlab powder
    Milk - I recommend using whole milk.
    Sugar
    Toppings - I used shredded coconut, almond, and pistachio. However, feel free to use any nuts or seeds you like.

    Sahlab or Mediterranean Milk Pudding

    How do you make a Sahlab drink?

    In a saucepan, mix powdered Sahlab with milk and sugar

    In a saucepan, mix powdered Sahlab with milk and sugar (to taste) over medium heat. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens. Turn off the heat and let it cool slightly.
    Pour into cups and add your topping of choice. Serve.

    Top Tips:

    • This drink needs sugar; unlike tea, it won’t taste good without it. If you are concerned about adding sugar, you can replace sugar with any sweetener such as Swerve.
    • Topping suggestions will be raisins, coconut, pistachio, almond or walnut.
    • Once you start making this drink, don’t leave it on the heat without stirring. The milk can burn quickly, ruining this taste.
    • For more flavour, add rose water or a pinch of cinnamon.
    • Taste it while on the stove; add more sugar if required.
    • You can use coconut shredder or flakes, sweetened or unsweetened, according to your taste.
    • The amount of Sahlab powder determines the consistency of the drink. 
    • This recipe makes a drink of medium thickness. If you would like it thicker, add ½ tablespoon more of the powdered Sahlab.
    two cups of Sahlab

    Recipe FAQs

    What does Sahlab taste like?

    This amazing drink has a slight floury taste when drinking it plain. Adding toppings such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or rosewater makes it more flavourful.

    Does this warm drink have health benefits?

    People drink itPure to help with health problems such as heartburn, indigestion, diarrhoea, and intestinal gas.

    Is Sahlab drink vegan?

    You can make it vegan by using non-dairy milk such as almond milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, soy milk or oat milk. It is still delicious.

    Where to buy Sahlab powder?

    As mentioned before, it is hard to find outside the Mediterranean. The best way to buy it is by ordering online from Amazon or herbal stores. Before you buy it, make sure it is 100% Pure.

    one cup of hot drink

    What to serve with this drink?

    I like to serve it with cookies or biscuits and sometimes with cake. You can find some suggestions below:

    • Welsh cookies - welsh cakes
    • Cinnamon pie
    • No-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies
    • S'mores cookie pie
    • Orange polenta cake
    • Sweet couscous - easy dessert recipe
    • Lazy cake - no-bake chocolate biscuit cake
    The hot drink in a cup

    Tools used in making this recipe

    • Saucepan: Used in making this amazing hot drink.
    • Sharp knife: Used in cutting the nuts.

    More Mediterranean Recipes

    • Molokhia Stew (The Green Soup)
    • Easy Baba Ganoush Recipe
    • Mediterranean Couscous Salad
    • Spanakopita - Spinach Pie
    Sahlab (Mediterranean Milk Pudding)

    Sahlab (Mediterranean Milk Pudding)

    Radwa
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 mins
    Cook Time 3 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 2 servings
    Calories 212 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups milk
    • 1 tbsp sugar
    • 2.5 tbsp sahlab powder

    Toppings

    • 1 tsp coconut
    • 1 tsp pistachio, chopped

    Instructions
     

    • In a saucepan, mix powdered Sahlab with milk and sugar (to taste) over medium heat. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens. Turn off the heat and let the Sahlab cool slightly.
    • Pour into cups and add your topping of choice. Serve.

    Notes

    • Sahlab needs sugar; unlike tea, it won’t taste good without it. If you are concerned about adding sugar, you can replace sugar with any sweetener such as Swerve.
    • Topping suggestions will be raisins, coconut, pistachio, almond or walnut.
    • Once you start making Sahlab, don’t leave it on the heat without stirring. The milk can burn quickly, ruining this taste.
    • For more flavour, add rose water or a pinch of cinnamon.
    • Taste it while on the stove; add more sugar if required.
    • You can use coconut shredder or flakes, sweetened or unsweetened, according to your taste.
    • The amount of Sahlab powder determines the consistency of the drink.
    • This recipe makes a drink of medium thickness. If you would like it thicker, add ½ tablespoon more of the powdered Sahlab.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 212kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 8gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 106mgPotassium: 324mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 395IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 276mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Milk Pudding, Sahlab
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Quinn

      March 29, 2021 at 2:14 pm

      5 stars
      I love Sahlab, and I drink it all the time. This recipe is good; before, I was making it a bit runny. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

      Reply
    2. Lucy

      April 01, 2021 at 12:08 pm

      5 stars
      Sahlab is an amazing drink, especially in winter! I love it topped with some ground cinnamon.

      Reply

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    Hello, I am Radwa, a wife and a mother. Also, I am the recipe maker and food photographer behind Healthy Life Trainer. I love making new, simple and quick recipes every day. Read More…

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