Maraş Ice Cream: History of Turkey’s Famous Dessert

Turkey is a country full of sweet traditions, and Maras Ice Cream is one of its most unique treasures. Unlike regular ice cream, this famous Turkish dessert is thick, stretchy, and doesn’t melt fast under the sun. It was first created in the city of Kahramanmaras and has become a symbol of Turkish creativity and taste.

Visitors can find it across the country, from Istanbul’s busy streets to small local cafes. Watching vendors play tricks with the cone before handing it to you is part of the fun. In every bite, you taste history, tradition, and a little bit of magic.

What Is Maras Ice Cream?

Maras Ice Cream (Turkish: Maraş Dondurması) is one of the most famous desserts in Turkey. It comes from the city of Kahramanmaras and is known for its thick, chewy texture. It melts slowly even in summer because it’s made with goat’s milk, salep (a powder from orchid roots), and a little mastic resin.

Trying Maras ice cream is more than eating dessert — it’s part of Turkish street culture. Vendors wear red costumes, perform funny tricks with the cones, and make tourists laugh before finally giving them the ice cream.

You can see this performance during a Half-Day Istanbul Private Food Tour & Culinary Experience.

Where Did It Come From?

Maras ice cream dates back to Ottoman times. Locals living around Ahir Mountain in Kahramanmaras discovered that milk mixed with salep and snow could become a frozen, chewy treat.

A popular story tells that Osman Aga, a local salep seller, left a mix of milk and salep outside one cold night. The next morning, it had frozen into a tasty, elastic dessert — the first Maras ice cream.

If you want to learn more about Turkish culinary history, join the Best of Istanbul: 3-Day Private Guided Tour, which includes local tasting experiences.

How Is Maras Ice Cream Made?

The preparation takes patience and skill:

• Boil goat’s milk until it thickens.
• Add salep powder slowly and stir until smooth.
• Mix in sugar and a bit of mastic resin for aroma.
• Knead and beat the mixture for hours using long metal rods until it becomes stretchy.
• Freeze slowly to keep its soft, elastic texture.

This method gives Maras ice cream its chewy form and makes it resistant to melting.

What Makes It Special?

Three things make it stand out:

• Goat milk for a creamy and rich flavor.
• Salep for stretchiness and long-lasting texture.
• Mastic resin for a refreshing scent.

Sellers make it even more exciting by spinning, flipping, and stretching it in front of customers. It’s both a dessert and a small street show.

During an Istanbul Combo: City Highlights and Bosphorus Cruise, you can enjoy such local flavors between sightseeing stops.

Where To Try It In Istanbul?

You can find traditional Maras ice cream in Sultanahmet, Taksim, Kadikoy, and Uskudar. Many cafes serve it with baklava or kunefe, and street vendors perform the famous “ice cream challenge.”

For a full experience, book a Best of Istanbul Tour and Istanbul Private Shopping Tour: Grand Bazaar & Spice Market that includes local sweets and landmarks like Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar.

Maras ice cream is more than just a dessert. It’s a mix of Turkish tradition, nature, and creativity. Its chewy texture and rich flavor make it a must-try for every traveler. When you visit Turkey, make time to taste this legendary treat and enjoy the fun of the street performance.

Contact us to plan your perfect trip and taste authentic Maras ice cream.