In lieu of my recent trip to Istanbul, I feel like I have to talk about the not so best kept secret of the city, DONDURMA! Or ice cream to us anglophiles. In this perennial palace of sweets, (scattered in almost every neighborhood) you'll find baklavas, cakes, and syrup drenched kunafas that will hug your hips and thighs tight as you munch them down your shameless mouth. It's a carnival of sweet sin in here. You'll have to walk it off by climbing one of the seven hills this city has on offer. And believe me, each hill is steeper than the next!
My favorite flavor is sade, or plain. Ok so it's basically milk. It's Turkey's answer to my Italian favorite Fior di Latte. Ice cream or Gelato's oriental cousin is special in that, it's umm chewy. So chewy and thick that some eat it with a knife and fork! What gives it it's unique texture is the addition of mastic resin and sahlep powder. Both these ingredients change the structure of the ice cream and lower its melting point. Thus when the mixture is partially frozen, they use large paddles to whisk, knead or beat the ice cream to develop elasticity. Mystery solved!
So the next time you find yourself in the Orient, have a go at Mado. Let me know which flavor is your favorite!
PS. The kunafa with a scoop of ice cream is dangerous. Proceed at your own risk.
MADO can be found all over Turkey. It's like Chilis or something.
MADO in Dubai is located at DIFC and Dubai Mall.
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