Maraş Ice Cream

Maraş Dondurması (a traditional Turkish ice cream) is a distinctive product made from the milk of goats that graze on local plants such as thyme, keven (a type of thorny shrub), hyacinth, and crocus within the borders of Kahramanmaraş province, and with salep derived from the roots of wild orchids growing in the region.

Unlike other types of ice cream produced in Türkiye, Maraş Dondurması exhibits several distinctive characteristics:

• Use of 100% goat’s milk,
• A unique and pleasant taste and aroma,
• A chewy, elastic texture similar to chewing gum,
• A homogenous, glossy white color,
• High resistance to melting and long-lasting consistency.

Traditional Presentation of Maraş Dondurması (Illustrated using Artificial Intelligence).

Ingredients

• Goat’s Milk: Milk is sourced exclusively from KKKS-registered goats raised in the herb-rich plateaus of Kahramanmaraş. These goats feed on native plants such as thyme, keven, hyacinth and crocus, which give the milk its characteristic flavor and consistency.
• Salep: Natural, additive-free salep that complies with the Turkish Food Codex is used. It is obtained from the tubers of wild orchids and plays a crucial role in giving the ice cream its elasticity, texture and stability.
• Sugar: White granulated sugar is used at a concentration of 15–22%.

Production Method

The milk is delivered to the production facility without breaking the cold chain. It undergoes preliminary filtration and pH analysis. It is then pasteurized and concentrated by boiling or using evaporators until the dry matter content reaches 15–20%. Sugar is added and the mixture is boiled again. Salep is then added, and the mixture is boiled for another 3–5 minutes until the total dry matter content reaches at least 33%. The product is pasteurized once more and cooled to 5–10°C. During the kneading stage, the air incorporation is maintained between 15% and 30%, with a discharge temperature of -5°C to -8°C. The product is then packaged and frozen to -20°C. Maraş Dondurması can be stored for up to one year at temperatures of -18°C or below.

Production Within the Geographical Boundaries

The milk used in the production of Maraş Dondurması must be obtained solely from goats raised and fed within the borders of Kahramanmaraş province. All other stages of production must also be carried out within this geographical region.

Inspection and Control Process

1. Inspection Organization:

• Inspections are conducted under the coordination of the Kahramanmaraş Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• The inspection committee consists of a qualified expert from the Provincial Directorate of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, a representative from the Chamber of Restaurant Owners, Kebab Sellers and Dessert Makers, and a delegate appointed by the Chamber of Commerce.

2. Timing of Inspections:

• Each producer is inspected at least once per year.
• Inspections may also be conducted at any time if necessary or upon receipt of a complaint.
• Complaints must be addressed with an inspection within one month of the complaint date.

3. Scope and Criteria of Inspection:

• Raw Materials: Use of 100% goat’s milk from registered goats raised in Kahramanmaraş; use of only natural salep; appropriate storage of raw materials under controlled temperatures.
• Pasteurization: All milk and product mixtures must be pasteurized according to the Turkish Food Codex.
• Product Specifications: Total dry matter must be at least 33%; air incorporation between 15–30%; milk fat content at least 4%.
• Storage: Products must be stored at -18°C or lower.
• Sensory Qualities: The ice cream must have a white color, smooth surface, elastic and chewy texture, distinctive milk taste and sweetness, and no ice crystals.

4. Reporting and Appeals:

• Inspection results are documented and formally communicated to the relevant parties.
• Appeals must be submitted within one month of notification.
• All appeals are reviewed and decided by the General Secretariat of the Kahramanmaraş Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

5. Legal Procedure:

• Legal action is taken against producers who fail to comply with geographical indication standards.

6. Expert Support:

• The inspection committee may obtain support or services from public or private institutions or qualified individuals.
• It is also responsible for managing legal procedures and protecting intellectual property rights.

Maraş Dondurması is produced under the protection of a geographical indication, in full compliance with the specified conditions and inspections. This ensures the continuity of both its regional cultural heritage and its product quality.