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Traditional Turkish rice dessert with saffron and rose water
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 cup (small) of Small zerde (120 g) has 144 calories. That works out to 120 calories per 100 g. It contains 32.4 g of carbs, 1.8 g of protein, 0.2 g of fat and 0.6 g of fiber. Its 0.2 mg of Manganese covers 10% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 75 (high), so it raises blood sugar quickly.
Selected: 1 cup (small) · 120 g
144
KCAL / 120G
Carbs
32.4g
· 12% DV
Protein
1.8g
· 4% DV
Fat
0.2g
· 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 94% · Protein 5% · Fat 1%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 144 kcal | |
| Total fat | 0.2 g | 0% |
| Saturated fat | 0.05 g | 0% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 2.4 mg | 0% |
| Total carbohydrate | 32.4 g | 12% |
| Fiber | 0.6 g | 2% |
| Protein | 1.8 g | 4% |
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 cup (small) | 120 g | 144 kcal |
| 2 tablespoon (small) | 40 g | 48 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 120 kcal |
| 1 piece (small) | 100 g | 120 kcal |
| 1 serving (small) | 120 g | 144 kcal |
| 1 piece (medium) | 150 g | 180 kcal |
| 1 cup (medium) | 180 g | 216 kcal |
| 1 piece (large) | 200 g | 240 kcal |
| 1 cup (large) | 250 g | 300 kcal |
Calculated from 120 calories per 100 g.
Small zerde is a Turkish rice dessert flavored with saffron and rose water; “small” refers to the portion name on this page. It is usually served chilled and is distinct from milk-based rice pudding.
Small zerde tastes gently sweet, with a floral note from rose water and a distinctive aromatic quality from saffron. Its rice-based texture is soft and spoonable, though thickness varies between recipes.
Small zerde is made by simmering rice in water until tender, then sweetening and coloring it with saffron. Rose water is usually stirred in near the end so its fragrance remains noticeable.
No. Small zerde is typically made with water and gets its character from saffron and rose water, while many familiar rice puddings are made with milk. Their flavor, color, and texture are noticeably different.
Saffron gives small zerde its characteristic golden color and a subtle, fragrant flavor. It is a defining ingredient in traditional versions, so leaving it out changes both the appearance and the familiar aroma.
Small zerde belongs to Turkish culinary tradition and is associated with Ottoman-era cooking. It has often been served at celebrations and gatherings, while household recipes differ in sweetness, thickness, and garnish.
Yes, you can make small zerde without rose water, but it will lose one of its signature floral notes. Keep the saffron for its traditional color and aroma, and avoid replacing rose water with a strongly flavored essence.
Small zerde is usually served chilled in individual bowls or cups. A little cinnamon, chopped pistachio, or pomegranate can be added as a garnish, though plain zerde lets the saffron and rose water stand out.
Keep small zerde covered in the refrigerator and eat it while it still smells and looks fresh. Because it is a moist, cooked-rice dessert, discard it if its smell, appearance, or texture changes.
Small zerde is yellow mainly because saffron colors the rice as it cooks. The shade can vary with the saffron used and the recipe; turmeric may appear in some adaptations but gives a different flavor.
Vitamins
B6
0.04mg · 2% DV
B1
0.02mg · 2% DV
B3
0.24mg · 2% DV
B5
0.06mg · 1% DV
Minerals
Manganese
0.24mg · 10% DV
Copper
0.04mg · 4% DV
Phosphorus
24mg · 3% DV
Zinc
0.24mg · 2% DV
Potassium ⭐
24mg · 1% DV
Sodium
2.4mg · 0% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 144 calories in 1 cup (small) (120 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.
Small zerde is a traditional Turkish rice dessert, cooked with sugar and scented with saffron and rose water. Its golden colour and floral aroma distinguish it from more familiar milk-based rice puddings. Zerde is often prepared for celebrations and shared from small bowls.
It is usually served chilled or at room temperature, sometimes topped with currants or nuts. In Turkey it is associated with festive tables; elsewhere, it makes a fragrant ending to a meal or a sweet accompaniment to tea. It is mostly carbohydrate, with very little fat or protein, so a small portion is a practical choice if you want to enjoy it without making dessert too filling.
Low
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Low
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 3
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
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
0.05g
MONOUNSATURATED
0.05g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.07g
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.