Lebanese candies (Malban)
October 15, 2010 • Category: Pantry
Roasted pistachios: This is the most common purchase prior to leaving Beirut; so much so that the Customs officer in the States would frequently say ” Did you bring pistachios?” upon glancing at my passport.
This time, I was rushed and half the city’s roads were blocked due to security measures for a highly publicized presidential visit; I did not have time to stop by my favorite nut roaster so I opted for a box of assorted malban and marzabein from Goodies.
Just what ismalban?
Malban resembles fruit jelly, except it is traditionally made with grape molasses, thickened with starch and flavored with rose water, mastic or orange blossom and stuffed with pistachios.
Malban these days is covered with amardeen (apricot paste) or rose petals or crushed pistachios, even chocolate!
It is found at most Arabic sweets makers, along with other confections like marzabein (marzipan), which is usually stuffed with pistachio paste.
Comments
34 Comments • Comments Feed
Bria @ WestofPersia says:
Ahhh, heavenly sweets. Safe travels, my dear.
On October 15, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Ivy says:
All of the candies sound amazing.
On October 15, 2010 at 10:58 pm
deeba says:
Questions from customs that sound so familiar, LOL! Love the candy Joumana. Ever so intruguing.. mmm!
On October 16, 2010 at 12:28 am
Amber @Almost Vegan says:
These look amazing! The “jelly” description reminds me of Turkish Delight a little.
On October 16, 2010 at 2:14 am
Rosa says:
They look very< addictive! I love Middle eastern sweets.
Cheers,
Rosa
On October 16, 2010 at 4:26 am
Simon says:
I love your blog. We are big fans of Middle Eastern food especially sweets! Keep it coming.
On October 16, 2010 at 5:06 am
Joanne says:
This is one sweet treat I know I would love, as I am a HUGE fan of pistachios. Now if I only I could find a way to procure it here in the US…
On October 16, 2010 at 5:37 am
Mel sal says:
Shatila bakery in Dearborn Michigan has them. The website is http://www.shatilla.com
On April 20, 2017 at 2:45 am
Susan says:
Oh darn, I was so hoping for a recipe 😉 These sound wonderful and I am a huge fan of pistachios. The apricot paste and chocolate combined with pistachios must taste heavenly!
On October 16, 2010 at 9:22 am
Joumana says:
soon Susan, soon! 🙂
Valerie, bear with me, I have got something in the works!
On October 16, 2010 at 9:57 am
A Canadian Foodie says:
I love everything Lebonese… especially the sweets…
I was hoping for recipes, but these are not so easy, maybe?
🙂
Valerie
On October 16, 2010 at 10:21 am
Eve@CheapEthnicEatz says:
Love those deserts but did not know there name. Have a recipe on how to make them?
On October 16, 2010 at 10:49 am
Tina says:
When my Husband came back from a visit to Lebanon our relatives sent these back with him!!! We had to hide them as our oldest boy loves them.. So so so Yummy!!!
On October 16, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Lyndsey says:
Love the photos. Some of these look like mooncakes. I was just in a Middle Eastern store yesterday looking for some things form your blog. I did pick up some rosewater and tahini, and saw many pistachio candies and didn’t know what kind to get. I now know you probably can’t go wrong! Yummy!
On October 16, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Sushma Mallya says:
these look so pretty…
On October 16, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Katerina says:
I know these sweets some Lebanese friends brought them when they were visiting Greece. They taste fantastic.
On October 16, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Lentil Breakdown says:
Ooh! Looks like Turkish Delight! I need to find some of that here in the States. I finished all the boxes I brought back from Turkey (sniffle, sniffle).
On October 16, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Dee says:
These sweets seem so organic & truly beautiful. I cannot imagine a more perfect sweet either with tea or at the end of a meal. Wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
On October 16, 2010 at 2:35 pm
The Nervous Cook says:
That last photo sure did make my mouth water!
On October 16, 2010 at 5:22 pm
James Walsh says:
Thank you for your visit and your kind words. I love the flavors of your blog and visit it quite often. I was hoping to find a way to make a shawarmah at home. From what I recall it is a lebanese dish. Am I right.
On October 17, 2010 at 1:21 am
Joumana says:
@James: yes, shawarma is found in every street corner on Lebanon and is our national sandwich, with either beef (or lamb) and chicken. I am sure you will find the meat recipe easy to replicate at home,especially if you have a grill.
https://www.tasteofbeirut.com/2009/08/shawarma-sandwich/
On October 17, 2010 at 9:39 am
SYLVIA says:
Everyone flips for these ultimate Lebanese addictive sweets. Elegant end to any meal. Joumana, can you order them on line?
On October 17, 2010 at 2:06 am
Nadji says:
Il y a possibilité d’avoir au moins l’une de ces recettes????
Bon dimanche et à bientôt.
On October 17, 2010 at 3:31 am
pierre says:
les gros plan sur ces bonbons c’est …mortel!!!Pierre
On October 17, 2010 at 6:20 am
Priya says:
Wowww super tempting candies..
On October 17, 2010 at 8:49 am
Jamie says:
This is exactly the kind of “souvenirs” we buy when on vacation. I don’t know what I would do to protect such luscious treats from custom agents. Oh I did buy my husband and gorgeous (and costly) date mustard in London several months ago that was confiscated by customs! Boo hoo that was horrilble. Anyway, these candies look fabulous!
On October 17, 2010 at 9:31 am
Christine @ Fresh says:
I would love to be in a place where pistachios are abundant, it’s such a versatile nut. These desserts look sensational.
On October 17, 2010 at 10:57 am
James Walsh says:
Thank you. I don’t know how I missed that post on your site.
On October 17, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Murasaki Shikibu says:
Reading and looking at the photographs of these candies is making me drool.
On October 18, 2010 at 8:20 am
delphcotecuisine says:
absolutly yummy.
lovely and delicious blog too
bises from France
Delphine
On October 19, 2010 at 3:56 am
Jacquie chorley says:
How long do they last for I bought my box on 3rd February will they be OK to eat now?
On February 11, 2016 at 7:16 am
Joumana says:
@Jacquie chorley: YES! No worry! they last for at least 3 months
On February 15, 2016 at 7:45 pm
Glenda Risinger-Champagne says:
Looking for Altina’s pistachio-stuffed marzipan, sold in Lebanon…o Hamrat Street.
On January 31, 2019 at 7:02 pm
Nock code says:
Thanks for sharing this informative content. Its really impressive and helpful for us.
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