Mahleb

Mahleb is the dried kernel of the stone of a sour black cherry native to the Middle East and Turkey and is small and beige in appearance with a soft texture. Used specifically in Turkish cooking and the Arabic food of the Middle East, mahleb gives a delicious nutty flavour and vanilla aroma to breads, pastries and cakes, although tastes quite bitter when eaten on its own. Crush mahleb as you need to use it for the best flavour, as the powder form becomes stale very quickly. Available: Middle Eastern food stores.