Baklawa
/ˌbæk.ləˈwɑː/noun
A rich pastry made from layers of thin dough, nuts, and syrup or honey.
Did you know?The word’s origin remains debated: it is documented in Ottoman Turkish and Arabic, while Greek, Armenian, and Balkan traditions each developed their own distinctive versions.
Etymological Timeline
Medieval period
Arabic
بقلَاوة (baqlāwa)
“A term for the layered nut pastry, though its ultimate origin is uncertain.”
15th–16th Century
Ottoman Turkish
baklava
“A layered pastry associated with Ottoman cuisine and courtly food culture.”
17th Century
Greek
μπακλαβάς (baklavás)
“The pastry name borrowed into Greek from Ottoman Turkish.”
19th Century
European languages
baklava / baklawa
“Names for the pastry spread through travel, trade, and Ottoman-influenced cuisines.”
Modern English
English
baklava / baklawa
“A sweet pastry of layered dough, nuts, and syrup, with “baklawa” especially common in Arabic-influenced usage.”