Basbousa

Basbousa
Basbousa topped with walnuts
Alternative namesHarisa, namoura, shambali, revani, kalb el-louz
TypeDessert
Region or stateMiddle East, Balkans and North Africa
Serving temperatureCold or warm
Main ingredientsSemolina or farina, syrup

Basbousa (Arabic: بسبوسة, romanized: basbūsah, also known as harisa, nammoura, or revani) is a sweet, syrup-soaked semolina dessert popular throughout the Middle East, North Africa, Caucasus and the Balkans. The semolina batter is baked in a sheet pan, then sweetened with sugar syrup and typically cut into diamond (lozenge) shapes or squares.

History

Basbousa seller in Nablus, 1983.

The Oxford Companion to Food (3rd edition) suggests that basbousa might have developed from a dish called ma'mounia, which was created around the 9th century Abbasid period. Ma'mounia was made by cooking rice in fat and syrup. This recipe was later adapted to use semolina, with the batter being cooked first and then soaked in syrup. According to food historian Gil Marks it is possible that semolina syrup cakes evolved from toasted semolina sweets like suji halva, as pastries and puddings in the middle east typically used semolina.

According to food historian Priscilla Mary Işın, a similar recipe is found in a 13th century Arabic-language cookbook from Al-Andalus, the book notes that the dessert was made in the region of Constantinople, she also notes that Ottoman revani was made by whisking all ingredients together until they became frothy. Ottoman revani included flour and a lot of eggs, but Ottoman street sellers used semolina and fewer eggs, or none at all. Chef Arto Der Haroutunian suggested that revani was popularized in Anatolia and the Balkans by the Byzantine Empire.

A recipe for revani (Ottoman Turkish: روانى) can be found in the 1844 Ottoman Turkish cookbook Melceü't-Tabbâhîn, it calls for baking a mixture of semolina, butter, sugar, and eggs in an oven then soaking it in sugar syrup and cutting it in "baklava shapes." Later 19th century mentions are found in the 1890 Ottoman Turkish to English dictionary by British lexicographer James Redhouse defined rewani (Ottoman Turkish: رواني) as "A kind of sponge-cake", it also defined rewaniji as a seller of said cake.

Names

Basbousa in the Middle East, the Balkans, North Africa, East Africa topped with almonds

It is found in the cuisines of the Middle East, the Balkans and North Africa under a variety of names.

Basbousa is the most common name for this dessert in the Middle East but it may be named differently depending on the region; it is often called "hareesa" in the Levant. Note that "harissa" in North Africa is a spicy red sauce.

vegan basbousa without eggs or milk uncle lous kitchen
Vegan basbousa (egg replaced by apple sauce)

Şambali is also referred to as "Damascus dessert" or "Damascus honey". Şam in Turkish means "Damascus".

Basbousa is believed by some derive its name from a colloquial Arabic expression meaning "just a kiss" (بس بوسة).

The Turkish revani is derived from the Persian word for oil or butter (روغن). However, some claim that revani is derived from "Revan"; the Turkish name for Yerevan, and that the dessert was made to commomerate the Ottoman conquest of Yerevan by Sultan Murad IV.

According to Syrian historian Khayr al-Din al-Asadi, the name basbousa is derived from the Arabic verb bas (بس), meaning "to mix".: 466–467  He also wrote that the name namoura is derived from the Arabic namr (نمر), meaning tiger, derived from the colors of the dessert.: 2984 

Variations

Cream-filled basbousa, Libya

Many variations of syrup-soaked semolina paste can be found in the Middle East; common ingredients include coconut, rose water, citrus, among many others.

Some denser versions also include eggs, modern versions include baking powder.

Middle east and North Africa

  • Pastūsha (sometimes stylized as pastūçha) is a variant of basbousa that originated in Kuwait in the 2010s. Like basbousa, it is made from semolina soaked in sweet syrup. It is characterized by the addition of finely ground pistachios and orange flower water.
  • Basbousa bil ashta: a Levantine and Egyptian variation of basbousa filled with qishta (milk clotted cream) in the middle.
  • Basbousa eem tapuzim: Israeli variation from the coastal region, it is flavored with orange juice.
  • Basbousa bil tamr: Libyan variant of basbousa where date spread is being added between two layers of the basbousa.
  • Hareesa nabaqia (Levantine Arabic: الهريسة النبكية) originates from the city of Al-Nabek, Syria, and is coated in smen (clarified butter) and pistachios.
  • Anise hareeseh (Arabic: هريسة يانسونية): Levantine anise flavored variation especially popular among Palestinians.
  • Hilbeh: Palestinian variant of basbousa flavoured with fenugreek seeds.
  • Tishpishti or tichpichtil is a Sephardic Jewish variant. The name derives from the Turkish phrase "Tez Pişti," meaning "cooked quickly."
  • Kalb el louz is an Algerian semolina cake made with almond flour
  • Qizha pie: Palestinian variant of basbousa flavored with nigella seeds paste called Qizha.

Southeast Europe

  • Revani: Turkish variation, typically flavored with citrus juice.
  • Shendetlie is an Albanian honey and walnut cake.
  • Şambali: Similar to revani, made with syrup, yogurt and semolina, it is popular in Greece and İzmir.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Salloum, Habeeb (2013). Sweet Delights from a Thousand and One Nights: The Story of Traditional Arab Sweets. I.B. Tauris. ISBN 9780857733412. Retrieved 2026-01-11. Basbousa is among the well-known traditional sweets of Arab cuisine, prepared from semolina and soaked in syrup.
  2. ↑ Food Culture in the Middle East. Brill. 2012. ISBN 9789004215030. Semolina-based syrup desserts are characteristic of Arab cuisine in Egypt and the Levant.
  3. ↑ Mohammed, A. T.; Ahmed, E. F.; Abd El-Moneim, E. A. (2018). "Utilization of broken rice, corn and sweet lupin flour for production of gluten-free basbousa" (PDF). Current Science International. 7 (4): 576–589. Retrieved 2026-01-11. Basbousa or semolina cake is a traditional Arabian dessert, very popular in certain countries.
  4. ↑ "Sudan's Sweet Guilty Pleasure: Basbousa". The Ethnic Store Ltd. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
  5. ↑ "Arabic Dessert". Archived from the original on 2015-02-08. Retrieved 2015-01-14.
  6. ↑ Davidson, Alan (2014). "Ma'mounia". The Oxford Companion to Food. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199677334. A sweet dish of grain cooked with fat and sugar or honey, named after the Abbasid caliph al-Ma'mun (r. 813–833). {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
  7. ↑ Davidson, Alan; Jaine, Tom; Vannithone, Soun (2014). The Oxford companion to food (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-967733-7.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Marks, Gil (17 November 2010). "Tishpishti". Encyclopedia of Jewish Food. HMH. ISBN 978-0-544-18631-6. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  9. ↑ Priscilla Mary Işın [in Turkish] (2010). Osmanlı Mutfak Sözlüğü [Ottoman Culinary Dictionary] (in Turkish). KiTAP YAYINEVI. p. 315. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  10. ↑ Haroutunian, Arto Der (2014). Sweets & Desserts from the Middle East. Grub Street Publishers. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-909808-58-4.
  11. ↑ Kâmil, Mehmet (2016). Melce'üt-tabbâhı̂n (in Turkish). Çiya Yayınları. p. 96. ISBN 978-605-61709-5-9. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  12. ↑ كامل, محمد (1844). ملجأ الطبّاخين (in Turkish). Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  13. ↑ Efendi, Turab (1864). "rewani". Turkish cookery book, a collection of receipts. p. 49. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  14. ↑ Redhouse, James W. (1890). A turkish and english Lexicon shewing in english the significations of the turkish terms: Printed for the American Mission by A. H. Boyajian. Boyajian. p. 991. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
  15. ↑ Abitbol, Vera (2019-09-25). "Syria: Basbousa". 196 flavors. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
  16. 1 2 Datian, Christine Vartanian (15 February 2024). "Recipe Corner: Syrian Nut Cake (H'risseh)". The Armenian Mirror-Spectator. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  17. ↑ "Kalon prama or Shamali | Cyprus Food Museum". Cyprus Food Museum. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  18. 1 2 3 "Revani (Turkish Semolina Cake) Recipe - Guy Ben Harosh". Asif Culinary Institute. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  19. ↑ "النمورة حلوى من التراث الفلسطينى بالفيديو لابو جوليا" [Namoura, a Palestinian heritage dessert, video by Abu Julia]. Gomhuria (in Arabic). 25 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  20. ↑ Kleiman, Evan (4 October 2024). "At the world's largest Syrian refugee camp, food…". KCRW. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  21. 1 2 "İzmir'in ayaküstü tatlısı: Şambali". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  22. ↑ "Tureng - şam - Turkish English Dictionary". Tureng. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  23. ↑ "Recipe: Spinach Basbousa". TimesKuwait. 17 April 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  24. ↑ ""صوابع زينب" و"أم علي".. ما السر وراء الأكلات ذات المسمى الأنثوي؟" ["Zainab's Fingers" and "Umm Ali"... What is the secret behind dishes with feminine names?]. Kelmetna (in Arabic). 26 September 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  25. ↑ "A 'Kiss From the Past': Semolina Cakes". Asif Culinary Institute. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  26. ↑ "Türk Dil Kurumu | Sözlük". sozluk.gov.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  27. ↑ "revani". Nişanyan Sözlük (in Turkish). Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  28. ↑ Umphlet, Caroline (2022-06-22). "If You Haven't Tried this Egyptian Sweet, You're Missing Out - Basbousa Recipe". Arab America. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
  29. ↑ Antonopoulos, Paul (22 September 2025). ""They are stealing our cuisine": Turks outraged over Greek sweets on Taste Atlas - But what's the truth? Greek City Times". Greek City Times. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  30. 1 2 Khayr al-Din al-Asadi (1981). موسوعة حلب المقارنة [Comparative Encyclopedia of Aleppo] (in Arabic). Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  31. ↑ Ottolenghi, Yotam. "Semolina, Coconut & Marmalade Cake". TASTE. Retrieved 14 September 2025. Contains excerpts from Jerusalem: A Cookbook
  32. ↑ "Aunt Zaneb's Semolina Cake Recipe". Easy Recipes. 2021-10-09. Archived from the original on 2022-02-28. Retrieved 2022-02-28.
  33. ↑ Mansour, Nermine (25 Apr 2025). "Basbousa Bel Ashta (Semolina Cake With Ashta Cream Filling)". Serious Eats. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  34. ↑ "Basbousa bil tamr | Traditional Cake From Libya". Taste Atlas. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
  35. ↑ "Libyan Cuisine". Libyan Heritage House. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
  36. ↑ Raslan, Farah. "Pistachio Hareesa Nabqia Recipe - Farah Raslan". Asif. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  37. ↑ "مذاق يتوارثه الأجيال.. "الهريسة النبكية" تحتفظ بجاذبيتها في ريف دمشق - فيديو" [A taste passed down through generations... "Nabkiya Harissa" retains its appeal in the Damascus countryside - video]. Roya News. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  38. ↑ "تعرفى على طريقة تحضير اليانسونية الفلسطينية( هريسة اليانسون) - جريدة المساء" [Learn how to prepare Palestinian yansooniyeh (anise harissa)]. Al Gomhuria (in Arabic). 17 April 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  39. ↑ "طريقة عمل اليانسونية". Jordan Records (in Arabic). 27 March 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  40. ↑ "اليانسونية الفلسطينية" [Palestinian anise]. alwasat.ly (in Arabic). 5 Feb 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  41. ↑ el-Haddad, Laila. "Fenugreek Olive Oil Cake (Saniyit Hulba)". The Washington Post.
  42. ↑ "Tishpishti (Citrus Semolina Cake)". Washington Post. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  43. ↑ רשליקה - Rashelika - ניחוח המטבח הירושלמי ספרדי המסורתי. 1999. pp. 82-87
  44. ↑ "Tishpishti - Recipe". Foodish – by Anu – Museum of the Jewish People. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  45. ↑ "Mediterranean desserts tickle taste buds in Paris". Arab News. 16 April 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  46. ↑ "From Algeria, a Camden Street Ramadan Treat". Dublin InQuirer. 8 July 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  47. ↑ Berger, Miriam (28 March 2019). "Is the world ready for this Palestinian dish?". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  48. ↑ Post-Gazette, Arthi Subramaniam Pittsburgh (3 May 2016). "Find a piece of heaven in the syrup-drenched revani". The Virgin Islands Daily News. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  49. ↑ Selami, Rezarta (17 February 2012). "Shendetlie, un dolce tipico albanese al miele". Albania News (in Italian). Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  50. ↑ Webb, Lois Sinaiko; Cardella, Lindsay Grace; Jacob, Jeanne (14 September 2018). International Cookbook of Life-Cycle Celebrations. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. ISBN 978-1-61069-016-4.
  51. ↑ "Σάμαλι, το απόλυτο νηστίσιμο γλυκό! | ΣΥΝΤΑΓΗ". Gastronomos.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  52. ↑ "Şambali | Traditional Dessert From İzmir | TasteAtlas". Taste Atlas. Retrieved 5 October 2025.

Works cited