An Edinburgh dessert shop which will serve Turkish Lokma and home made Turkish ice cream opens this week on the Royal Mile.
Ali's Ice Cream have opened up shop at 263 Canongate and will accept walk ins from Wednesday.
Customers are encouraged to come and try the delicious creamy home made ice cream and traditional Turkish Lokma - small fried doughnuts filled with chocolate and drizzled with various toppings.
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Lokma are well known across Turkey, but cafe owner Ali Celik hadn't seen anywhere serving them around Edinburgh, so travelled around his home country learning the technique and obtaining the right equipment to bring the delicacy to the capital.
After successfully running the cafe Luscious next door for the last ten years, the dad decided to take on a new venture with his daughter Gizem Celik in opening the dessert parlour next door.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Gizem said: "It’s always been my dad's dream to open a place like this so he’s made his dream come true.
"He’s very excited to share this dish and new taste to the public in Scotland."
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The property was a Scottish specialist food shop called Cranachan and Crowdie that shut down in the pandemic, but a little part of the well-loved shop will live on, as the stunning artwork of Edinburgh buildings from the window display have found a new home in Ali's Ice Cream.
While visiting the shop Ali explained that Turkish ice cream is sweet, creamy, stretchy and chewy at the same time thanks to a special ingredient called Salep.
The secret ingredient is the starchy root of wild orchids which gives the traditional dish its unique taste.
We tried the home made ice cream which is made differently from the cold treat we are used to here.
The 'Lokma' are made fresh to order and filled with white, dark, ruby and milk chocolate before being fried and drizzled with toppings of your choice.
Ali joked that because the treat is so sweet it is designed to be eaten on the move - a perfect snack while walking round exploring the old town.
You can find out more here.
