Is there a lot of sugar in Turkish Delight?

November 15, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutritional data from commercial varieties, a typical 100g portion of Turkish Delight can contain more than 70 grams of sugar, a very high concentration that is fundamental to its structure. This confection is, at its core, a candy made primarily from boiled sugar syrup and starch, which confirms there is indeed a lot of sugar in Turkish Delight.

Quick Summary

Turkish Delight is a gelatinous candy primarily made from a dense sugar syrup, making it exceptionally high in sugar content. It offers minimal nutritional benefits and should be consumed in small quantities due to its high caloric density, similar to many other confectioneries.

Key Points

High Sugar Content: A typical 100g serving contains over 70g of sugar, making it an extremely high-sugar treat.
Core Ingredients: The confection's primary components are sugar and cornstarch, with the sugar forming a foundational syrup.
Minimal Nutrition: Turkish Delight offers virtually no nutritional value beyond its calories, providing only a sugar rush.
Health Concerns: Due to its high sugar content, it can cause blood sugar spikes and is not suitable for regular consumption, particularly for diabetics.
Best in Moderation: In its traditional form, it is served in small, carefully portioned cubes to be savored, not eaten in excess.
Healthier Alternatives: While challenging to recreate authentically, recipes exist using sugar substitutes or dried fruits for a lower-sugar version.

The Sweet Foundation of Turkish Delight

At its most basic, traditional Turkish Delight, known as lokum in Turkey, is a confection made from sugar and starch. The process involves boiling sugar and water to create a syrup, which is then combined with a cooked cornstarch mixture and simmered for an extended period. This slow cooking process creates the characteristic chewiness and translucent gel-like consistency. The result is a treat where sugar is not just a flavor but the primary ingredient and structural component, often making up a significant majority of its total weight. The final product is typically dusted with a mix of powdered sugar and cornstarch to prevent the sticky cubes from clumping together, further adding to the total sugar content.

Nutritional Breakdown: How Much Sugar is in Turkish Delight?

When examining the nutrition label for commercial Turkish Delight, the high sugar count is immediately apparent. Nutritional data from different brands and recipes consistently confirms that this treat is packed with sweeteners. For example, some varieties show as much as 74.6 grams of sugar per 100g serving, while a 40-gram serving can contain around 32 grams of sugar. Even recipes for homemade versions call for large quantities of granulated sugar.

Granulated Sugar: This is the foundation of the confection's syrup, providing the bulk of the sweetness.
Corn Syrup: Sometimes used by manufacturers to prevent sugar crystallization and improve texture.
Powdered Sugar: A dusting of powdered sugar is a final touch that adds extra sweetness and prevents sticking.

Comparing Sugar Content: Turkish Delight vs. Other Sweets

To put Turkish Delight's sugar content into perspective, it's helpful to compare it with other popular candies. While all are high in sugar, the concentration in Turkish Delight is noteworthy due to its density.


Confectionery	Typical Sugar Content (per 100g)	Notes
Turkish Delight (Plain)	~70-80g	Very high concentration, based almost entirely on sugar syrup.
Starburst	~82g	One of the highest, with sugar added from corn syrup and fruit flavoring.
Mars Bar	~60g	Contains more ingredients like chocolate and nougat, distributing the sugar.
Milk Chocolate	~50-60g	Includes milk solids and cocoa, which reduce the overall sugar percentage.
Hard Candy	~75-85g	Crystallized sugar boiled to a hard, dense form.

Health Considerations and Moderation

Given its composition, Turkish Delight is not a health food and offers zero significant nutritional value. Its primary ingredient is sugar, which contributes a high number of empty calories. Excessive consumption can lead to weight gain, dental problems, and blood sugar spikes, making it particularly unsuitable for individuals with diabetes.

For those who enjoy its unique texture and flavor, moderation is key. In its country of origin, Turkey, lokum is often served in small portions, paired with coffee or tea, to be savored rather than consumed in large quantities. Choosing varieties with nuts, such as pistachio, can add some healthy fats and protein, but this does not negate the high sugar content.

Can You Make a Healthier Version?

Because sugar is so integral to the structure and texture of authentic Turkish Delight, significantly reducing it or substituting it is challenging. Simply cutting the sugar can lead to a softer, less stable product. However, some alternative recipes exist, often using sugar substitutes or focusing on fruit purées for sweetness, though the result may differ significantly in taste and texture from the traditional version. One way to enjoy the flavor with less sugar is to look for recipes that utilize agar powder and xylitol for a sugar-free, vegan version, though the texture will be different. Another approach is to incorporate more nuts and dried fruit, which, while not reducing the sugar in the core recipe, can add nutritional benefits and make the treat more satisfying in smaller quantities.

Conclusion: A High-Sugar Treat to be Enjoyed in Moderation

Ultimately, the answer to the question, "Is there a lot of sugar in Turkish Delight?" is a resounding yes. It is a confection built on a foundation of sugar syrup, resulting in a product with one of the highest sugar concentrations among common sweets. While delicious and a beloved treat, it is not a nutritious snack and should be enjoyed sparingly. Understanding its composition allows consumers to make informed choices and appreciate it for what it is—a rich and sugary delicacy. For those with dietary concerns, focusing on portion control or seeking out special low-sugar recipes is the best approach. You can explore some recipes using healthier alternatives to reduce sugar intake in your cooking on sources like Taste of Home.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main ingredients of traditional Turkish Delight are sugar, cornstarch, and water, which are boiled to form a dense, sweet, and gelatinous mixture.

No, Turkish Delight is not recommended for diabetics due to its very high sugar content, which can cause significant and rapid increases in blood sugar levels.

Significantly reducing the sugar in traditional Turkish Delight is difficult because sugar is crucial for its structure. However, some alternative recipes use substitutes like xylitol or focus on fruit sweetness, though the texture and flavor will differ.

The high sugar content is inherent to the traditional recipe, which involves creating a concentrated sugar syrup and boiling it slowly to achieve the signature chewy, gel-like texture.

No, while varieties with nuts add some protein and healthy fats, the nut content does not significantly lower the overall high sugar concentration of the confection itself.

To minimize the health impact, Turkish Delight should be consumed in very small, controlled portions, treating it as an occasional treat rather than a regular snack.

Healthier alternatives include naturally sweet dried fruits like apricots and figs, or making homemade versions using sugar substitutes or fruit purées to control the sugar content.