Baklava

The history of this Middle Eastern treat is more layered than you might think.

The history of baklava has long been disputed, with both the Greeks and the Turks claiming the extravagant sweet as their own. While some historians suggest it dates back to Roman times and evolved from a honey-covered dessert called placenta, others trace its origins all the way back to the Assyrian empire, circa 800BC.

However, it was the Ancient Greeks who developed the thin pastry phyllo, giving rise to the delicate dessert we know today. Later, as the Ottoman Empire expanded, other cultures added their own twist to the dish, including Armenians and Arabs, who added spices and florals. Today, this intricately layered and gloriously sticky, nut-laced parcel is a favourite among sweet tooths the world over.