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Poulaki
Thin saffron sugar candy
Poulaki (پولکی): thin saffron sugar coins from Isfahan
Poulaki are the paper-thin golden sugar coins sold by weight in Isfahan's sweet shops, meant to be held between the teeth while you sip strong black tea. The name comes from 'poul', the old word for coin, and Isfahanis serve them with tea to guests at any hour, flavoured with saffron, cardamom or sesame. Only sugar, a little vinegar and spice are needed, but timing matters. A common mistake is pouring the drops too big: they should spread no wider than 4 cm or they stay chewy in the middle. Chef's tip: work on a cold, lightly oiled marble or steel tray, which sets the coins in seconds and keeps them glassy.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
- 10 ½ oz white sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tbsp white vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 tbsp sunflower oilplus extra for the tray
- ¼ tsp saffron threadsground and bloomed in 1 tbsp hot water
- ¼ tsp ground cardamom
- 2 tbsp slivered pistachios (optional)
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Lightly oil a marble board or two upturned baking trays. Have a teaspoon and a small jug ready; poulaki move fast.
3 minStep 2: Put the 10 ½ oz white sugar and ¼ cup water in a small heavy pan over a medium heat and stir until dissolved. Add the 1 tbsp white vinegar or lemon juice, then boil without stirring until the syrup reaches 300°F, or until a drop in cold water snaps cleanly, about 10 minutes.
12 minStep 3: Take the pan off the heat and quickly swirl in the 1 tbsp sunflower oil, ¼ tsp saffron threads and ¼ tsp ground cardamom; it will bubble up.
1 minStep 4: Working fast, drop half-teaspoons of syrup onto the oiled surface, spaced well apart, so each spreads into a thin coin 3–4 cm wide. Press a sliver of 2 tbsp slivered pistachios on a few. If the syrup thickens, warm it for a few seconds over a low heat.
6 minStep 5: Leave for 2 minutes until hard and glassy, then lift off with a thin knife. Store in an airtight jar between sheets of baking paper; damp air makes them sticky.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 150 kcal
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 37 g
- Fat
- 2 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does poulaki take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of white sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
- What can I use instead of white vinegar or lemon juice?
- Lime juice, same amount.
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