Salep

salep a starchy powder made by drying and pulverizing the root tubers of certain plants of the orchid family, notably Dactylorhiza latifolia, Orchis mascula, O. militaris, and O. morio. The powder makes a beverage, either a cool and refreshing one in summer or a hot one for cold weather. Since it is an effective thickening agent, it has various food and medicinal uses; e.g. to thicken milk drinks and ice creams especially in the Middle East and parts of Asia.

The roots of the orchid have a testicle-like form, as the name orchid (Greek orchis, meaning testicle) suggests. Common English names include cullions, bollocks, dog’s cods, etc. The name ‘salep’ itself is Turkish from the Arabic thalab, meaning fox; and one step further back leads to the Arabic khusya th-thalab, meaning ‘fox’s testicles’. Not surprisingly, the roots have a reputation as a powerful aphrodisiac. (Yet, paradoxically, salep is also thought to be wholesome and beneficial fare for children.)