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Unsweetened orchid tuber based beverage powder
In season: Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 tablespoon (grated) of Unsweetened salep powder (8 g) has 26 calories. That works out to 330 calories per 100 g. It contains 5.8 g of carbs, 0.4 g of protein, 0.1 g of fat and 0.6 g of fiber. Its glycemic index is 35 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Selected: 1 tablespoon (grated) · 8 g
26
KCAL / 8G
Carbs
5.8g
· 2% DV
Protein
0.4g
· 1% DV
Fat
0.1g
· 0% DV
Fiber
0.6g
· 2% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 90% · Protein 6% · Fat 4%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 26 kcal | |
| Total fat | 0.1 g | 0% |
| Saturated fat | 0.01 g | 0% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 2.8 mg | 0% |
| Total carbohydrate | 5.8 g | 2% |
| Fiber | 0.6 g | 2% |
| Protein | 0.4 g | 1% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon (grated) | 8 g | 26 kcal |
| 1 teaspoon (grated) | 3 g | 10 kcal |
| 1 serving (small) | 10 g | 33 kcal |
| 1 cup (small) | 12 g | 40 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 15 g | 50 kcal |
| 2 tablespoon (double) | 16 g | 53 kcal |
| 1 cup (large) | 18 g | 59 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 20 g | 66 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 330 kcal |
Calculated from 330 calories per 100 g.
Unsweetened salep powder is made from the dried, ground tubers of certain orchid species. Products can differ in purity and formulation, so the name alone does not guarantee that a powder contains only orchid tuber.
Whisk unsweetened salep powder into a little cold milk until smooth, then add the remaining milk and heat gently while stirring until thickened. Serve with cinnamon if you like; add sugar separately to control the sweetness.
Real unsweetened salep powder can be expensive because it comes from orchid tubers, which are difficult to source and process. Wild orchid collection is also restricted or protected in many places, so commercial powders may use substitutes or blends instead.
No, unsweetened salep powder has no added sugar. The prepared drink can still contain sugar from milk or from sweeteners you add, so the powder’s unsweetened description applies to the product, not automatically to the finished beverage.
Yes, unsweetened salep powder is used as a thickener in some traditional ice creams, including Turkish dondurma. Mix it smoothly with cold liquid before heating the base; the amount needed varies with the powder’s salep content.
There is no exact substitute for unsweetened salep powder’s combination of flavor and thickening. Cornstarch can thicken a milk drink or dessert, but it will not reproduce salep’s distinctive texture or orchid-tuber flavor.
Unsweetened salep powder has a mild, earthy, slightly floral taste and is valued especially for the creamy thickness it gives a drink. Since it is unsweetened, the drink may taste quite plain unless you add a sweetener or spices such as cinnamon.
To prevent lumps, whisk unsweetened salep powder with a small amount of cold milk first, then gradually add the rest. Keep stirring as it heats; adding the powder straight to hot liquid makes it harder to disperse evenly.
Keep unsweetened salep powder tightly sealed in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and moisture. Moisture can make the powder clump and affect how it thickens; follow the package date for its shelf life.
Yes, you can prepare unsweetened salep powder with a plant-based milk or water. Plant-based milks vary in thickness and flavor, so the finished drink may not be as rich as one made with dairy milk.
Vitamins
B2
0.01mg · 1% DV
B1
0.01mg · 1% DV
B6
0.01mg · 1% DV
Biotin
0.12µg · 0% DV
Minerals
Phosphorus
11mg · 2% DV
Potassium ⭐
50mg · 1% DV
Magnesium
4.64mg · 1% DV
Copper
0.01mg · 1% DV
Sodium
2.8mg · 0% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 26 calories in 1 tablespoon (grated) (8 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
Unsweetened salep powder is made from dried, ground tubers of certain orchid species. It is rich in starch, which gives drinks their characteristic body; “unsweetened” means no sugar has been added to the powder, not that the finished drink has to stay unsweetened.
In Turkey, salep is commonly whisked into warm milk and gently cooked until thick and smooth, then dusted with cinnamon. Its flavour is mild, earthy and subtly floral, and it is especially popular as a warming winter drink. Outside its home region, you can prepare it similarly with dairy or plant milk. The powder is mostly carbohydrate, with some fibre; adjust any added sweetener to taste.
Medium
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
NOVA 2
Minimally Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
No known major allergens
Vegan
✓ Suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
✓ Suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
0.01g
MONOUNSATURATED
0.01g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.02g
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.