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A thick, smooth, pale ivory drink fills a small cup, with a light dusting of cinnamon across its surface.
●Low GI

Salep Calories

Traditional hot milk beverage

In season: Autumn · Winter

CALORIES · 100 G

78kcal

GI

41low

POTASSIUM · 100 G

150mg

FIBER · 100 G

0.6g

Quick answer

1 cup (medium) of Salep (240 g) has 187 calories. That works out to 78 calories per 100 g. It contains 28.3 g of carbs, 7.4 g of protein, 5.8 g of fat and 1.4 g of fiber. Its 0.9 µg of B12 covers 38% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 41 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.

Salep Nutrition Facts

Selected: 1 cup (medium) · 240 g

187

KCAL / 240G

Carbs

28.3g

· 10% DV

Protein

7.4g

· 15% DV

Fat

5.8g

· 7% DV

Fiber

1.4g

· 5% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 58% · Protein 15% · Fat 27%

Salep nutrition facts table · 1 cup (medium) (240 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories187 kcal
Total fat5.8 g7%
Saturated fat3.6 g18%
Trans fat0.19 g
Sodium110 mg5%
Total carbohydrate28.3 g10%
Fiber1.4 g5%
Protein7.4 g15%

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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How Many Calories in 1 Cup of Salep?

ServingAmountCalories
1 cup (medium)240 g187 kcal
100 g100 g78 kcal
½ cup (half)120 g94 kcal
1 serving (mini)150 g117 kcal
1 cup (small)180 g140 kcal
1 bottle (medium)250 g195 kcal
1 cup (large)300 g234 kcal
1 serving (extra large)350 g273 kcal

Calculated from 78 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Salep

What is salep made of?

Traditional salep is made with milk, salep powder and often sugar. The powder comes from the dried, ground tubers of certain orchids; many modern mixes use starch or other thickeners instead.

How do you make salep at home?

Make salep by warming milk and gradually whisking in salep powder until the drink thickens. Add sugar if you like, keep stirring to prevent lumps, then serve hot with a dusting of cinnamon.

Why is salep so thick?

Salep thickens because orchid tubers contain glucomannan, a water-binding fibre. Heating the powder with milk develops the drink’s characteristic creamy texture; whisking as you add it helps keep the mixture smooth.

Does salep contain caffeine?

Traditional salep contains no caffeine because it is made with milk, salep powder and usually sugar. A flavoured instant mix may include coffee, cocoa or other ingredients, so its caffeine content can differ.

What does salep taste like?

Salep tastes mildly sweet, milky and creamy, with a subtle, distinctive aroma. Cinnamon is a common topping and adds a warmer spice note; the sweetness varies with the amount of sugar added.

Is salep the same as sahlab?

Yes, salep and sahlab are closely related names for a traditional drink made with orchid-tuber powder, especially in Turkey and the Middle East. Recipes and spellings vary by region, and some modern versions use starch-based mixes.

Can you make salep without orchid powder?

Yes, you can make a salep-style drink with milk and a starch-based thickener, but it will not be traditional salep made with orchid-tuber powder. The texture may be similar, while the aroma and flavour can differ.

Is salep good for a sore throat?

Salep may temporarily soothe a sore throat because a warm, creamy drink can feel comforting. It does not treat the cause of the pain, so persistent or severe symptoms need medical attention.

How should you store salep powder?

Store salep powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Keep moisture out to prevent clumping, and use a clean, dry spoon whenever you scoop some out.

Why is real salep expensive?

Real salep can be expensive because it is made from orchid tubers, which are slow to replace and difficult to source sustainably. Many orchids are protected, so choose products from legal, responsible sources rather than encouraging wild harvesting.

Salep Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

B12

0.91µg · 38% DV

B2

0.38mg · 29% DV

B5

0.77mg · 15% DV

Biotin

2.88µg · 10% DV

Minerals

Phosphorus

211mg · 30% DV

Calcium

278mg · 28% DV

Iodine

19µg · 13% DV

Potassium ⭐

360mg · 11% DV

Sodium

110mg · 5% DV

Salep Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

41
Low
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

12
Medium

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Salep

To burn the 187 calories in 1 cup (medium) (240 g):

🚶

46min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

19min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

25min

Cycling

🏊

22min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

What is Salep?

Salep is a traditional hot milk drink made with salep powder, produced from the dried, ground tubers of wild orchids. Milk and sugar are commonly added, and a dusting of cinnamon is a familiar finish. In Turkey, it is especially popular in cold weather, served steaming in cafés or made at home as a warming drink.

It has a gently sweet taste and a thick, smooth texture. The milk contributes some protein, while carbohydrates make up a larger share of its nutrition; salep has 78 calories per 100 g. For a lighter cup, use less sugar, or enjoy it with cinnamon for extra aroma.

How Nutritious Is Salep?

Nutrient density

Low

34/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Medium

40/ 100

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.

Is Salep Processed?

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.

Does Salep Contain Allergens?

Contains these allergens:

Gluten free
Dairy yes
Eggs free
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish free
Soy free
Sesame free

Which Diets Is Salep Good For?

Vegan

— Not suitable

Vegetarian

✓ Suitable

Gluten-Free

✓ Suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

— Not suitable

Paleo

— Not suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

— Not suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Salep Fat Profile

SATURATED

3.6g

MONOUNSATURATED

1.68g

POLYUNSATURATED

0.24g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 2.7:1

Below the ideal 4:1 — a good omega balance.

Compare Salep

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7 kcal

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37 kcal

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Iced Tea

20 kcal

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1 kcal

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2 kcal

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Soda

42 kcal

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.