The Chewiest Ice Cream in the World

Salep dondurma, a Turkish specialty, has been called “the chewiest ice cream in the world.” Its name is derived from a combination of the obvious with the somewhat exotic. Dondurma is a Turkish word meaning “something that is frozen.” Salep is also Turkish, derived originally from an Arabic word for “fox testicles,” but now refers to an orchid (Orchis mascula), the roots of which apparently resemble fox testicles. Powder made from these roots is used to make the ice cream.

Salep contains a long-chain, complex polysaccharide that can incorporate more than 5,000 sugar groups. Consequently, it acts as a very effective gelling agent that can form hydrogels. It is used to thicken warm milk, leaving it with a gooey, sticky consistency and a very peculiar mouthfeel.