One bite and you'll know why sweet treat's such a delight

Madonna performed in Chicago this week, part of her "Sticky and Sweet" world tour.

One of Madge's newest songs, "Candy Shop," is a tarty number, filled with Turkey delight sweet talk and double entendres.

Consider the opening lines:

"See which flavor you like and I'll have it for you/ Come on in to my store, I've got candy galore/Don't pretend you're not hungry, I've seen it before/I've got Turkish delight baby and so much more."

The centuries-old Turkish delight, popular throughout the Middle East and reintroduced with the 2005 "Chronicles of Narnia" movie, is a chewy, rubbery candy dusted with confectioners' sugar and served in squares about half the size of an ice cube.

It is made from cornstarch or gelatin, sugar, honey and fruit juice or jelly and is often tinted pink or green, according to the New Food Lover's Companion. Pars Grocery, 5260 N. Clark, offers a traditional rose-flavored version for $3.99 per one-pound pack.

The treat also has been called rahat loukoum, which means "rest for the throat."

Coskun Eskeranli, owner of A La Turka, 3134 N. Lincoln, explains that Turkish delight actually is known as lokum (pronounced LOW-koom) in Turkey and is something you might have with tea or after a meal.

Eskeranli says lokum traditionally is a "welcome to my home" treat in Turkish households.

"The purpose of Turkish delight is, say, you're going to visit a friend, and as a guest the first thing [the host does] is serve you that," Eskeranli says.

Eskeranli used to have it sitting out for diners to grab as they were leaving his 11-year-old restaurant. But delight-hoggers, some who would even take a handful, made it too expensive for him to continue that.

For the best lokum, he says head to Turkey where Istanbul-based Haci Bekir has been producing lokum since the 15th century.

For those on a budget -- and that's all of us these days -- head to a Middle Eastern grocery store such as those around Kedzie and Lawrence in Albany Park. Stores that sell the treats include Sahar Meat Market II, 4829 N. Kedzie, and Feyrous Pastries & Groceries, 4510 N. Kedzie, which carries the prized Haci Bekir brand.

Who knows? Maybe you'll see the Material Girl zipping around, shopping for something sticky and sweet.

Curious about an unusual edible or kitchen tool? Want to share some mysteries in your own cabinets? E-mail the Food Detective at ldonovan@suntimes.com.