Hafiz Mustafa Mixed Ottoman Kadayif – Pistachio, Pomegranate & Milk

Hafiz Mustafa has been making sweets in Istanbul since 1864, when Haci Ismail Hakki Bey opened the first shop in Bahcekapi, and this red tin holds the house assortment the company lists as Mixed Ottoman Saray Kadayif (karisik Osmanli kadayifi). Each finger-length slice is soft Turkish delight pressed between layers of tel kadayif — hair-fine shredded pastry strands — baked with syrup until golden and crisp, then finished with chopped Turkish pistachios.

Three varieties share the tin, easy to tell apart: pistachio rows under a layer of green slivers, pomegranate rows studded with deep-red delight, and a pale milk row through the middle. The recipe is plain to read — delight made of water, sugar, corn starch and lemon juice; kadayif of wheat flour and butter; pistachio at 14 percent. The maker states it uses no preservatives or additives, sweetens with beet sugar rather than glucose, takes colour from natural sources such as black carrot juice, and bakes daily.

Sizes: the small box (550–650 g) holds about 15 pieces by the maker's count; the medium box (1.1–1.2 kg) corresponds to the brand's kilo tin of 23–25 pieces; the big box (2–2.1 kg) matches the brand's large assortment — 15 pomegranate, 15 pistachio and 9 milk slices. All come in the embossed metal tin with the founder's portrait, the same packaging used in the Istanbul shops.

Contains wheat flour (gluten), pistachios, butter and dairy; the maker's allergen guidance also notes possible traces of other tree nuts and egg. Keep cool and dry, away from sunlight. Serve at room temperature, with unsweetened Turkish coffee or black tea — the syrup carries the sweetness.

We buy each tin fresh from Hafiz Mustafa in Istanbul and prepare it the same or next day for fast delivery to your door.