Sachlav is one of the most unique and delicious Israeli desserts you can ever find. While it’s not as popular as dishes like Hummus of Falafel, with a thick, creamy texture, a variety of topping options, and a perfect temperature for cold winter days, it’s not hard to see what has made it one of the must-try dishes in Israel, perfect for dessert lovers who are looking for some comfort food. Here is everything you should know about the mouthwatering Sachlav, the ideal dish to try for those looking for an epic culinary experience in Israel.
The origin of Sachlav
You can find Sachlav in all Middle Eastern countries. It originated in Turkey, where it is particularly common, but it is also extremely popular in Syria and Iran. Originally, it was customary to prepare it from a powder obtained from the ground tuber of orchid flowers, which added both thickness and sweetness to the drink. Since the orchid is considered an aphrodisiac, which stimulates desire, the drink became popular long before tea and coffee and is in fact one of the most ancient drinks in the world.
However, after the craze for the drink almost completely wiped out the wild orchid that grow in southern Turkey, most people have switched to synthetic substitutes for orchid powder, and the export of Turkish natural orchid powder was banned. Today, it’s very rare to find Sachlav made from real orchid powder, and all of the drinks you will get here are made from artificial powders.
The name origin of Sachlav, also known as Salep or Saloop, comes from its original main ingredient, as the word Sachlav in Hebrew also means orchid.
Best places to eat Sachlav in Israel
As Sachlav is pretty simple to make, you can find it all over the country, in cafes, stalls, and restaurants all over. Here are some of the most popular places to have the great desert in the country.
Machane Yehuda Market
As one of the best places for foodies in Israel, there aren’t many things that you won’t be able to find in Machane Yehuda Market, and if you’re looking for Sachlav, it’s certainly a great spot, with several of the market stalls and cafes that will serve you with the warm drink in the cold Jerusalem winters. Among them, one of the best places in the market is Roasters cafe, which serves a delicious Sachlav at an affordable price.
Jaffa
A local favorite for a long time when it comes to high-quality Sachlav, Jaffa features several restaurants that serve the mouth-watering desert. Some of the best ones are actually Malabi shops, like Malabi Jan and Hamalabiya, which also has several branches in Tel Aviv.
The Golan Heights
Sachlav is arguably the most popular drink in The Golan Heights, which has a major Druze population. During your visit to this magnificent region, you can find stalls selling Sachlav on the side of the road, especially around Druze villages like Mas’ada. In addition, you will find it as a popular dessert in many restaurants throughout the region, like in Hahummusia in Ein Zivan.
Vegan Sachlav in Tel Aviv
Vegans will be glad to know that you can find a vegan version of any dish in the world in Tel Aviv, and of course, Sachlav is no exception.
The vegan and cool version of the dessert, which is served in the vegan Mitz Marak restaurant, is based on an almond rice drink, soy milk, coconut cream, and, of course, rose water. While the texture of the drink is not identical to the original milky version, the special taste makes for a great alternative for those who want to try the great drink.
How to make Sachlav
If you are looking to make Sachlav at home, whether it’s during your trip to Israel, or just as preparations for the great culinary experience you will have here, you should know that it’s very simple to make it by yourself. Here’s one of the most common Sachlav recipes.
Ingredients (for 4 servings):
- 4 cups of milk
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 2 teaspoons of Sachlav powder and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch (if you can’t get Sachlav powder, use 3 tablespoons of cornstarch with a few drops of rosewater)
- 2 tablespoons of chopped almonds, pistachios, or walnuts
- 1 tablespoon of grated coconut
- A bit of cinnamon (optional)
Preparation:
- Boil the milk with the sugar and the Sachlav powder until it boils and lower the flame.
- Boil the cornstarch in a bit of water and pour it into a pot. Cook while stirring on a very low flame until the mixture thickens.
- Pour into glasses and place the almonds, pistachios, chopped nuts, coconut, and a little cinnamon over the drink.
