The iconic Hadji Bey’s Turkish Delight was a Cork speciality for many years until production ceased in the 1970s, and was recently revived by L.C. Confectionery of Newbridge, Co Kildare.
This delicious and beautifully packaged product in re-usable boxes has been welcomed back to Cork as one of their own and is available from selected stockists, chocolate shops and several stalls at the English Market including Paradise Garden - but it is also well distributed at speciality stores throughout Ireland and you may spot it in some unexpected places, such as Sheridans Cheesemongers.
Although the crème de menthe version has not been continued, it’s available in Original Rose and Rahat Lokoum (rose, orange and lemon flavours) and the lovely, nostalgically designed gift packs include an article on Hadji Bey's Turkish Delight first published in The Guardian in 1964.
The Hadji Bey brand was established in the early 1900s by an Armenian immigrant, Harutun Batmazian, who set up his famous sweet shop on MacCurtain Street in Cork, emblazoned 'Hadji Bey et Cie'. His products were loved throughout Ireland, and the business thrived until the retirement of Harutun’s son Eddie in the 1970s.
The products were much missed, so the revival of the brand by L.C. Confectionery in 2010 was very welcome - it makes a great gift.
