Soutzouk Loukoum: A Sweet with History and Flavour
Soutzouk loukoum is one of those sweets that carries with it not only a distinctive taste but also a story of tradition and cultural exchange. Found across the Caucasus, Asia Minor, and among Pontic Greeks, this treat looks like a sausage but tastes like a dessert.
A Sweet Disguised as a Sausage
The name comes from its shape: long, cylindrical, and glossy, resembling a string of sausages. Inside, though, you’ll find rows of walnuts, hazelnuts, or almonds, bound together by layers of thickened grape must or molasses. The nuts are threaded on a string, dipped into the must mixture, and left to dry before being dipped again—over and over—until they are coated in a chewy, fruity layer that perfectly balances sweetness with the crunch of nuts.
Tradition in Every Bite
Soutzouk loukoum was more than just a sweet; it was food for strength. Farmers, travellers, and even soldiers carried it as a portable source of energy. Its combination of natural sugars, carbohydrates, and healthy fats from the nuts made it both delicious and nourishing. Over time, it evolved into a festive delicacy, often prepared at home or for special occasions, and it still appears at fairs, markets, and festivals in Greece, Turkey, Georgia, and Armenia.
A Close Relative: Loukoumi
The story of soutzouk loukoum connects to the broader family of loukoumi, or Turkish delight. First made in Istanbul and called rahatul hulkum (“that which relieves the throat”), the sweet spread throughout the region. In Greece, loukoumi became a beloved tradition in the 19th century, with famous variations from Syros, Komotini, and Serres. Soutzouk loukoum is its hearty cousin—larger, denser, and more rustic, but equally aromatic.
A Symphony of Aromas
What makes soutzouk loukoum memorable are its flavours: the rich sweetness of grape must, lifted by notes of rose, clove, cinnamon, and bergamot. Each slice reveals both the chewiness of the coating and the satisfying crunch of the nuts. It is often enjoyed with coffee or served in Orthodox monasteries as a gesture of welcome.
Cultural Sweetness
To taste soutzouk loukoum is to taste layers of history—Pontic heritage, Caucasian traditions, and Greek adaptations. It is not just a dessert but a cultural artefact, linking communities through the simple, universal pleasure of something sweet, chewy, and nutty.
