Turkey Jam is not a fruit jam. It is the name used in India for Turkish macun (also sold as Epimedyumlu Macun): a thick, dark paste of honey, herbs, roots and spices, made in Turkey and eaten by the spoon.
If you have seen "Turkey Jam" on Instagram, in a WhatsApp group or in a shop in Kerala, you may have wondered what is actually in the jar. Here is a plain explanation of the product, where it comes from and what to check before you buy.
One product, many names
Turkey Jam, Turkish Jam, Turkish Honey, Turkish macun, Epimedyumlu Macun and Epimedium paste all describe the same kind of product. Macun (said "ma-joon") is the Turkish word for a thick, spoonable paste. Epimedyumlu means "with Epimedium", one of the herbs in the recipe.
Indian sellers started calling it "Turkey Jam" because it looks like a dark jam and comes from Turkey. The name stuck, and it is now what most people in India search for.
Where macun comes from
Turkey has a long tradition of macun pastes made from honey or fruit molasses mixed with spices and herbs. The best known is Mesir macunu from the city of Manisa in western Turkey, a spiced paste linked to the Ottoman era. Manisa still celebrates it every spring with a festival in which the paste is thrown to crowds, a custom recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.
Today, herbal macun pastes are sold in Turkish markets and spice bazaars in jars and sachets. They are not the same as the colourful macun sweets that street vendors in Turkey twist onto sticks for children.
What's inside
The Turkish Macun we sell lists these ingredients on its label:
- Base: flower honey, glucose syrup and mulberry molasses.
- Herbs and roots: Epimedium (0.79%), red, American and Siberian ginseng, maca, ginger, galangal, ginkgo biloba, nettle, iron thistle and cola plant.
- Bee products: royal jelly and pollen.
- Others: cinnamon, carob, oats, pumpkin seed and vanilla aroma.
Recipes differ between brands, so always read the label of the pack you buy.
Original Turkish macun, our best-value pack at ₹2,799.
See packsWhat it tastes like
Turkey Jam is dark brown and very thick. It tastes sweet like honey, with the warmth of ginger and cinnamon and a slightly bitter, earthy note from the roots and herbs.
How it is sold in India
Turkey Jam is imported from Turkey and sold in India mostly online, through websites, Instagram and WhatsApp, and in a few shops. The common packs are small jars (around 43 g), large jars (around 240 g) and boxes of single-serve sachets. You can see every pack and price in our Turkey Jam price list.
Because the product is popular, copies are common. Read how to identify original Turkey Jam before you pay a new seller.
How to take it
It is recommended to take one teaspoon or one sachet. Mix the paste well before use, as the herbs can settle; there is no need to add milk or warm water. Do not take more than two teaspoons in a day.
Who should not use it
Turkey Jam is a food product, not a medicine. It is not suitable for everyone:
- Anyone under 18, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- People with high blood pressure, a heart or liver condition, or diabetes.
- Anyone taking nitrate medicines (for chest pain) or blood-pressure medicines.
If you have any health condition or take regular medicines, talk to your doctor before use.
