Cerez Pazari Ground Mahlab (Mahlepi - Mahaleb- Mahlep) Mahleb Ground, %100 Natural, Premium Quality, No Additives or Preservatives, Aromatic Traditional Spice for Pastry and Baking 60 gr- 2.1 Oz What is Mahlep? Mahleb or Mahlab is an aromatic spice made from the seeds of a species of cherry, Prunus mahaleb (the Mahaleb or St Lucie cherry). The cherry stones are cracked to extract the seed kernel, which is about 5 mm diameter, soft and chewy on extraction It has been used for centuries in the Middle East and the surrounding areas as a flavoring for baked goods. Recipes calling for the fruit or seed of the “?alub” date back to ancient Sumer. In recent decades, it has been slowly entering mainstream cookbooks in English. In Greek American cooking, it is the characteristic flavoring of Christmas cake and pastry recipes. In Greece, it is called µa ?p? (mahlepi), and is used in egg-rich yeast cakes and cookies such as Christmas vasilopita and Easter tsoureki breads (known as cheoreg in Armenian and çörek in Turkish) Mahlep is an aromatic spice made from a variety of cherry seed. It tastes a little bit like bitter almonds and cherries and is used as a flavouring for cakes, buns, pastries, biscuits, slices, pies, desserts, spreads and breads.