This traditional and renowned dessert consists of layers of pastry filled with various types of nuts, such as pistachios, peanuts, walnuts, and others. It is baked at high temperatures and then soaked in syrup, giving it its sweet flavor.
From Egypt to the Levant, to Anatolia northward, and to Greece and the Balkans westward, there are varying stories regarding the original birthplace of baklava. Arabs, Turks, Greeks, and other peoples of those regions all lay claim to its origin. Complicating matters further, the Ottoman Empire, which lasted from the late 13th century until the 20th century, served as an ambassador of baklava in its territories, encompassing all the regions and peoples disputing baklava's authenticity today.
There remain many hypotheses regarding the birth of baklava in Aleppo, Syria, or in Gaziantep, Turkey, or in the cities of the Balkans and Greece, making it seem like a shared heritage for all of them.
Baklava is prepared in its various forms during celebratory rituals, special occasions, and holidays in the Levant, Egypt, Turkey, and the Balkan countries. With the world turning into a small village today, baklava has become accessible to its admirers all around the globe. Paris, London, Berlin, Edinburgh, Washington, Stockholm, Dubai, Riyadh, Beijing, Tokyo, and other capitals of the world are filled with baklava shops where skillful merchants from Turkey and Syria, in particular, have brought them, along with other countries where baklava is also part of their culture.
Dubai is full of restaurants and cafes representing tastes and cultures from all around the world, from the Far East to South Asia to diverse Middle Eastern flavors, and from there to Europe and the Americas. Turkish baklava, especially, has succeeded in securing an important place for itself within this diverse scene.
Gaziantep, Turkey, has gained renown, being situated in the south of the country near the Syrian border close to its neighbor Aleppo. The makers of baklava have succeeded in elevating Gaziantep today to a stage where it easily carries the title of the baklava capital on a global level. The city is rich with baklava factories, some of which have been around for many centuries. Some families in Gaziantep have become famous for passing down the craft of baklava making through generations, and among these families are those who not only remained content with that but also transferred their workshop and products to far-flung and diverse parts of the world.
Gulbaba Baklava Company was established by a group of experts and pastry makers from Turks and Syrians, representing together nearly a century of experience in making this delicious dessert in its various forms. They have together arrived at a recipe they consider perfect, taking into consideration both Arab and Turkish tastes during their development, and they have brought to Dubai and the United Arab Emirates a delicious baklava that hasn't forsaken its authentic and traditional attire but distinguishes itself with modern touches that cater to the unique taste of the Emirates market.
Gulbaba Baklava makes its products available to its admirers through its online store www.gulbababaklava.com, and through various sales channels.
The company also assists a large number of hotels, restaurants, and cafes in enriching their menus with various types of Turkish baklava.
