Opium Delight Product Description and Distinctive Features: The origins of Afyon Delight trace back to the early 1900s. Known for its role in traditional gatherings such as engagements, celebrations, and invitations, and thanks to Afyon’s strategic position at the crossroads of major transport routes, this sweet has gained widespread popularity among various communities. Crafted in compliance with the Turkish Food Codex Sugar Regulation, Afyon Delight is prepared using white sugar, natural corn starch, citric acid, and selected filling ingredients. The use of glucose, cane sugar, and their derivatives is strictly avoided. This delightful treat is available in four distinct types: plain/aromatic, sultan wrap, wrapped delight, and spiced delight/spiced sultan delight. All stages of production for Afyon Delight—including resting, rolling, cooling, sweeping, and cutting—are carried out on a cold, solid marble surface. The naturally smooth texture of marble prevents the dough from sticking and avoids the development of unwanted textures caused by adhesion. Key quality traits of Afyon Delight, such as its texture, elasticity, surface shine, and transparency, are achieved through a thorough gelatinization process. The levels of water, acid, and sugar in the mixture influence the starch gelatinization. As a result, natural corn starch is used in production because it dissolves easily in cold water, creates an opaque gel, and offers high viscosity. The sugar utilized in the recipe lowers water activity, reduces the plasticizing effect of water, and helps to stabilize the starch’s granular structure by interacting with it, thereby extending the gelatinization period. High-amylose natural corn starch, which contains between 50% to 80% amylose, is favored for its ability to quickly form firm, white gels. In the production of Afyon Delight, especially for the sultan variety, licorice extract is often included due to its ability to whiten the sugar dough, soften the texture, and provide a spongy, flexible consistency. This extract is made by cleaning, chipping, and boiling licorice roots and rhizomes, usually one to three times. Citric acid is a supportive ingredient used in the Afyon Delight mixture to prevent sugar from crystallizing and to aid in the formation of invert sugar. This helps the sugar blend more uniformly into the delight mixture, ensuring a smoother final product. In crafting Afyon Delight, a variety of ingredients are used as flavorings or fillings, including shell-free walnuts, geographically indicated Antep pistachios, chickpeas, peanuts, hazelnuts, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and candied or chocolate-coated fruits. Additionally, fruit essences, chocolate, and Afyon clotted cream are incorporated when preparing the cream-filled version. An ideal Afyon Delight should display a smooth, uncracked surface, show transparency when sliced, have minimal spreading, and retain its elastic consistency. Only the ingredients listed in the official recipe should be present, with no foreign substances included.