The use of fraudulent ingredients to reduce the cost of baklava has become widespread. While various tricks are played for cheap baklava, experts warn against baklava priced below 400 liras. With the countdown to Ramadan Bayram, sweet rush surrounds baklava makers. However, baklava masters caution against cheap baklava. The use of deceptive ingredients to lower production costs is on the rise. Spinach and peas are used in place of pistachios, and pistachios are substituted with spinach. Kerim Üre, President of the Antalya Pastry Chefs Association, warned against using ready-made syrup in pastries. He stated, “They use ready-made syrup, they should not prefer to buy desserts with it. They may contain peanuts inside, putting kernels to make them look green, adding dye to imitate pistachio baklava, using glucose instead of sugar. They use ready-made syrup, do not use sugar, in order to make it cheap, then they hang banners advertising that they sell baklava for 120 liras per kilo.”
HOW MUCH SHOULD A KILO OF BAKLAVA COST?
The price per kilogram is between 400 and 600 liras for walnut baklava and around 800 to 1000 liras for pistachio baklava. There are health warnings for those who opt for baklava sold below 400 liras per kilogram. HEALTH RISK WARNING
Ali Manavoğlu, President of the Antalya Branch of the Chamber of Food Engineers, stated, “Substituting pistachios with foreign substances, vegetables like spinach and peas are introduced to the market with added appeal of green color using synthetic food colors.” He also mentioned, “Synthetic food colors can cause allergic reactions, especially in children. Excessive consumption of these products can lead to obesity, heart diseases, increased secretion of hormones due to sugars like glucose, which may result in cancer as well as diabetes.” Consumers are advised not to jeopardize their health by opting for cheap baklava.