Salep, which comes to mind when it comes to indispensable winter drinks, attracts a lot of attention this year as well. The benefits of salep, which is preferred for its compatibility with cinnamon, are not known enough. Salep, which increases the body’s resistance against respiratory diseases, is among the indispensable drinks for many reasons such as being satiating, giving energy, strengthening the immune system thanks to the calcium and protein it contains, especially when it is drunk in winter months.
IT IS USED AS A BEVERAGE IN WINTER AND ICE CREAM IN SUMMER
In Karabük, salep, which is indispensable in the winter months, is very difficult to find in nature and its collection is based on labor power, so its weight finds buyers at 2 thousand 400 liras. Salep producer İsmail Yılmaz stated that salep is used differently in summer and winter and said, “Wild salep grows in many parts of Safranbolu, especially in forests. It is also produced by planting. Salep is the most beautiful drink of the winter months. It is a product used in making ice cream in summer. We also prepare and dry it in the summer months. If necessary, we grind it in the mill. “We’re ready to drink or for ice cream,” he said.
HOW IS SALEP CONSUMED?
Regarding the consumption of salep, İsmail Yılmaz said, “As consumption, a cup of salep comes out of half a teaspoon of powdered salep, or it can be made by adding a teaspoon of salep to a liter of milk and adding sugar as desired and cooking it like Turkish coffee. Since we are already a spice seller, we also give the recipe when selling salep, as in most products.” There is a fine of 109 thousand 503 TL for illegally harvesting salep, also known as ‘white gold’, which is difficult to collect and produce.
BENEFITS OF SALEB
It relieves constipation and bloating.
- It facilitates digestion.
- It plays an active role in reducing hemorrhoid complaints.
- It strengthens memory and mind.
- It cures chest diseases.
- It is used in the treatment of hemorrhoids.
- It relieves cough and bronchitis.
- It is good for menstrual irregularity.
- It has a sexual enhancement feature.
- Increases fat burning rate.
- It warms the body.
- It meets the body’s sweet needs without removing sugar.