Bafra Walnut Sweet: A Traditional Cypriot Delicacy with Health Benefits
Bafra Walnut Sweet, a well-known and beloved dessert in Cypriot cuisine, is not just a treat for the taste buds but also offers health benefits like alleviating mouth sores. Available in 375-gram and 750-gram jars in Cyprus markets, this traditional sweet is a testament to the rich culinary heritage of Cyprus. Let’s delve into the recipe and discover how this delightful dessert is made.
Recipe and Preparation of Bafra Walnut Sweet
The process of making Bafra Walnut Sweet is a meticulous and traditional art. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Selecting Chestnuts: In spring, specifically towards the end of April or early May, immature chestnuts are carefully picked.
- Soaking Process: The chestnuts are peeled and then soaked in water for eight days, changing the water daily. This crucial step reduces the nuts’ natural bitterness.
- Preparing the Nuts: After the soaking period, a hole is made in the center of each nut, and they are laid on lime for one night.
- Boiling Technique: The nuts undergo boiling four times, with rinsing in between each boil.
- Lemon Water Soak: Post-boiling, the nuts are soaked in lemon water for a few hours, which adds a zesty flavor and preserves their texture.
- Stuffing and Resting: Cloves and almonds are inserted into the holes of the nuts, and then they are left to rest for six hours covered in sugar, allowing them to absorb the sweetness.
- Final Boil with Lemon Water: A last boil is given, with lemon water added during the process to enhance the flavor.
- Cooling and Jarring: After cooling, the walnut sweets are placed in jars, ready to be savored.
Health Benefits
While Bafra Walnut Sweet is a popular dessert, its health properties, particularly for mouth sores, make it more than just a sweet indulgence.
Bafra Walnut Sweet is a perfect example of Cypriot culinary excellence, combining traditional methods with health benefits. Whether as a dessert or a natural remedy, it’s a must-try for anyone exploring the flavors of Cyprus.
We prepare Cyprus watermelon paste in accordance with traditional recipes and present them to our customers.
One of the most common fruits of the island is bitter orange. Bafra Bitter Orange Paste is available at Cyprus markets in 375- and 750-gram jars.
