Spice

Mahleb

Mahleb is the ground kernel of mahaleb cherry pits, used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean breads and pastries for a bitter-almond, cherry-wood aroma. Always used sparingly and usually baked. Buy small amounts—ground mahleb fades and turns rancid.

Also known as: Mahlep, Mahlepi, Mahlab, Mahleb

Track this ingredient

Quantity

Unit

Kg Liters Whole

Note

Cuts & parts

Kernel

Breeds & varieties

A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.

View all

Prunus mahaleb

Mahaleb Cherry

St Lucie Cherry Kernel

Ground Mahleb

Characteristics

Preparations

CrackedDriedFreshGroundPowderRoastedToastedWhole

Provenance

BiodynamicExport GradeFair TradeHand HarvestedNon-GMOOrganicPesticide FreeSingle OriginSun Dried

Sources

Indoor FarmedOutdoor FarmedWild

Traits

AromaticBitter AlmondCherryDelicateFloralNuttySweetWoody

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 300

Amount per 100 g

Total Fat 7.73 g
Saturated Fat 2.23 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 2.13 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.37 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 37.6 mg
Salt 0.1 g
Total Carbohydrate 48.2 g
Dietary Fibre 23.8 g
Total Sugars 5.12 g
Complex / starch 15.6 g
Protein 9.43 g
Water 29.6 g

Detailed nutrients

Energy 300 kcal
Water 29.6 g
Carbohydrates 48.2 g
- Sugars 5.12 g
  - Monosaccharides 3.58 g
  - Disaccharides 1.54 g
- Starch 15.6 g
  - Amylose 3.9 g
  - Amylopectin 11.7 g
  - Digestible Starch 13.3 g
  - Resistant Starch 1.56 g
- Fibre 23.8 g
  - Soluble Fibre 8.34 g
  - Insoluble Fibre 15.5 g
Protein 9.43 g
- Plant Protein 8.96 g
Fat 7.73 g
- Saturated Fat 2.23 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 2.13 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 3.37 g
  - Omega-3 0.51 g
  - Omega-6 1.59 g
Vitamins 91.4 mg
- Vitamin A 20 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.1 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.14 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 1.88 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.46 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.28 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 2.7 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 36 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin E 1.76 mg
- Vitamin K 26.1 µg
Minerals 262 mg
- Major Minerals 256 mg
  - Calcium 49 mg
  - Sodium 37.6 mg
  - Potassium 169 mg
- Trace Minerals 6.8 mg
  - Iron 1.4 mg
  - Zinc 0.4 mg
  - Iodine 5 µg
Salt 0.1 g
- Sodium Chloride 0.1 g

Vitamins

vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-a: 20 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.1 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.14 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 1.88 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.46 · vitamin-b6: 0.28 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 2.7 · vitamin-b9-folate: 36 · vitamin-e: 1.76 · vitamin-k: 26.1 ·

Minerals

Sodium: 37.57 · Potassium: 169 · Calcium: 49 · Iron: 1.4 · Zinc: 0.4 · Iodine: 5 ·

Dried spices are concentrated plant tissue—fibre-heavy by weight, used in gram doses.

In the kitchen

Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Mahleb.

Pairs well with

Classic and complementary matches

BreadMiddle Eastern sweet breads
Butter
Cardamom
CherryBaking
Milk
Sugar

Usually avoid with

Often clash in flavour or tradition

History

500TR

Mahaleb cherry kernels entered Anatolian and Levantine baking traditions.

1400

Mahleb-scented festival breads spread across Greek, Armenian, and Arab cookery.

1900

Ground mahleb became a standard Middle Eastern bakery spice in diaspora markets.

2000

Artisan bakers outside the region adopted mahleb for specialty holiday breads.