Daheen (دهين) is one of the most distinctive and calorie-rich sweets in all of Iraqi gastronomy. This dense specialty originates in the southern Iraqi city of Najaf, which is known worldwide primarily as one of the holiest sites of Shia Islam and the final resting place of Imam Ali. In Iraqi gastronomy, it has earned fame precisely thanks to this dessert.
The name refers directly to the character of the sweet. The word daheen comes from the Arabic root “dihn”, which denotes fat, oil, or lard. The name can therefore be loosely translated as “fatty” or “greasy”. This characteristic is entirely accurate, as it is a dessert with a high fat content, which gives it a specific, heavy, and moist consistency. The texture of properly prepared daheen resembles a very dense fondant or semi-solid caramel that stretches and is oily to the touch. The color of the dessert ranges in shades from light brown to dark mahogany, depending on the baking time and the amount of dates used.
The basic ingredients for preparing this sweet are simple. The dough is created by mixing wheat flour, sugar, milk, and a large amount of fat, which is traditionally clarified butter (ghee). A crucial flavor component is formed by date syrup, called dibis in Iraq. It is the date syrup that lends the dessert its sweetness and dark coloration. The mixture is baked in large rectangular or circular metal trays. During baking, the mass slowly binds together and everything caramelizes. An absolutely indispensable ingredient is dried shredded coconut. Bakers generously sprinkle it on the bottom of the mold and the surface of the dessert, creating a crispy crust that contrasts with the soft interior.
Daheen is usually sold in specialized shops or directly on the street from large trays, where vendors skillfully cut off the desired amount with a spatula. Daheen is perceived as a source of quick and lasting energy, which is why it is popular in the colder months.
Sales are by weight; the customer decides how large a piece they want cut from the displayed block, or for how many Iraqi dinars they want to purchase. The price is very affordable, and for 1,000 IQD (0.60 EUR) you get a truly large portion that completely filled me up, and if I were to try it again, I would easily make do with a quarter of the amount. Daheen is indeed very filling. Locals love daheen, but I personally wasn’t too enthusiastic about it; the specific texture combined with the huge amount of dried coconut, which I don’t like, didn’t really appeal to me.
Nevertheless, I recommend trying daheen; if you like it, let me know.
Bon appétit!
