Pekmez is a sweet molasses made from grapes or other fruits, commonly used as a sweetener in Turkey. It is made by heating and reducing the juice, and can be used in candies and breakfast dishes. It also has homeopathic uses.
Pekmez is a type of sweet molasses from Turkey which is also produced in some other countries under different names. Most commonly, pekmez is made from the reduced, purified juice of grapes, although it can also be made from a variety of other fruits, including sugar beets, mulberries, pears, plums, and apples. If the molasses is made from dates, it is known as dibis and if it is made from carob, it may be called keciboynuzu pekmez. The product has been made for a long time and was used as a sweetener before the arrival of sugar in Turkey. It is used in the preparation of candies and other confections and as a sweetener instead of sugar.
There are several ways pekmez is made, but the most common is to start with fresh grapes. The grapes are pressed and the juice is collected. Next, the juice is heated to help begin the process of reducing it to a syrup and to sterilize it. During the cooking period, a special type of soil is added to the juice to help remove impurities. Once the first firing is done, it can sit for some time so that all the soil and other sediment sinks to the bottom and can be removed.
The pekmez is then heated a second time so that, over low heat, it reduces to a thick syrup. This thick syrup is then bottled and the pekmez is complete. The same results can be obtained at home by taking pure grape juice or by squeezing the juice from fresh grapes and then heating it for many hours over low heat. The resulting syrup may not have the same subtle flavors as real pekmez, but it can be used just the same.
A popular use of pekmez is as a sweetener for a common breakfast dish. The dish involves taking tahini, a type of sesame paste, and mixing it with an equal amount of syrup. The result is a sweet and healthy breakfast dish that resembles a very savory version of oatmeal, but with a different, nuttier taste. This can be served with bread or toast.
There are also several homeopathic uses for molasses. When made with certain fruits, it can be prescribed for people who have an iron deficiency. It is also used for back pain, breathing problems, and to relieve pregnancy-related nausea.
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