{"id":8663,"date":"2026-10-27T13:27:30","date_gmt":"2026-10-27T04:27:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parade.kyoto\/?post_type=sweetlore&p=8663"},"modified":"2026-10-31T18:52:01","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T09:52:01","slug":"zerde","status":"publish","type":"sweetlore","link":"https:\/\/parade.kyoto\/en\/sweetlore\/zerde\/","title":{"rendered":"Zerde"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Zerde is a Turkish sweet made by cooking rice in water and sweetening it. It is known for being colored yellow with saffron or similar ingredients and scented with rose water. It also uses rice, but the liquid it is based on differs from that of s\u00fctla\u00e7<\/a>, in which rice is cooked in milk.<\/p>\n

\"Zerde
Zerde served in Istanbul. 2015, Istanbul. Photo: E4024 \/ Source<\/a> \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a>. Downscaled version from the source; no content modifications after retrieval.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Adding fragrance to yellow rice<\/h2>\n

In the method presented by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the rice is cooked until soft, and then starch dissolved in water is mixed in. Saffron infusion and sugar are added, the pot is taken off the heat, rose water is stirred in, and the mixture is poured into bowls and left to cool. Scattering raisins, chopped hazelnuts and pomegranate seeds on top adds the textures of fruit and nuts to the soft rice base.<\/p>\n

\"An
An example of dried saffron. Location unknown. Photo: Shaharbano \/ Source<\/a> \/ CC BY 4.0<\/a>. Downscaled version from the source; no content modifications after retrieval.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Zerde
Zerde and a\u015fure displayed in a shop. 2014, near Istanbul. Photo: E4024 \/ Source<\/a> \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a>. Downscaled version from the source; no content modifications after retrieval.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Regions that layer it with white milk dishes<\/h2>\n

Zerde is served at weddings and on religious holidays, and it is also called the “wedding pudding.” In Gaziantep, it is customary to serve it together with unsweetened s\u00fctla\u00e7. In one example from Mardin, rice cooked in water with sugar and allspice is layered on top of cooled, unsweetened milk rice. Besides being a sweet colored yellow with saffron, zerde also takes regional forms in which it is combined with another milk dessert.<\/p>\n

The wedding dish of \u015eanl\u0131urfa<\/h2>\n

Zerde in \u015eanl\u0131urfa uses safflower blossoms, from a plant distinct from saffron, for color and aroma. The flowers are steeped in hot water or boiled to release their color, and that liquid is added to the pot of rice and sugar. In the local form presented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the dish is served without any garnish of fruit or nuts. It is also made for occasions when people gather, such as weddings, engagements and pilgrimage meals.<\/p>\n

The meal served at weddings in this region is called s\u00fcpha. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s regional records describe a menu in which lamb dishes and pilaf topped with raisins and chickpeas are followed by sweet zerde. Relatives are welcomed, food is also shared with those in need, and portions are delivered to the neighbors. Pilaf and zerde are also said to appear at the meal with which people returning from pilgrimage receive their visitors.<\/p>\n

Iran’s sholeh zard<\/a> is also a sweet dish made with rice and saffron. Both share the feature of cooking rice in water, but zerde includes methods such as combining it with a milk layer or adjusting its thickness with starch.<\/p>\n

Glossary<\/h2>\n

Safflower<\/strong>: A plant whose flowers are used as a dye and as a food coloring. It is a different species from saffron.<\/p>

Saffron<\/strong>: A spice made from the dried stigmas of a crocus. It imparts color and aroma to food.<\/p>

Rose water<\/strong>: Fragrant water obtained by distilling rose flowers.<\/p>

Allspice<\/strong>: A spice made from dried fruit.<\/p>

S\u00fcpha<\/strong>: A communal meal served at local weddings and similar occasions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Zerde is a Turkish sweet made by cooking rice in water and sweetening it. It is known for being colored yellow with saffron or similar ingredients and scented with rose water. It also uses rice, but the liquid it is based on differs from that of s\u00fctla\u00e7, in which rice is cooked in milk.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":7909,"menu_order":434,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_parade_sweetlore_meta":{"en":"Zerde","subtitle":"Ingredients and Preparation of Zerde","topics":"Rice cooked in water and colored with saffron \/ The fragrance of rose water and fruit \/ A regional example layered with unsweetened milk rice","country":"T\u00fcrkiye (various regions), festive occasions","show_toc":true,"ingredients":["spice","grain"],"texture":[],"occasion":[],"method":["cooked"],"season":[]},"footnotes":""},"sweetlore_category":[164],"class_list":["post-8663","sweetlore","type-sweetlore","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"sweetlore_related_products":null,"sweetlore_related_faqs":null,"sweetlore_related_voices":null,"sweetlore_related_mode":"auto","sweetlore_related_articles":null},"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t