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Mahleb
Appears in
By Eleanor Ford
Published 2024
Why love it
Ground mahleb kernels add a sweet and almondy complexity to baking that sits gently in the background. How alluring.
Match with
Nut: pistachio, almond
Sweet fruit: cherry, plum, peach, apricot, dried fruits
Spice & herb: vanilla, tonka bean, nutmeg, rose, sesame
Sweet: honey
Extract the flavour
The kernels are best bought whole to preserve their fragrance. Dispel bitter notes with a few tricks: set aside for a few minutes after grinding to let phenols evaporate; add before cooking; and use in combination with fats.