Salep is a flour made from the tuber of the orchid plant, primarily found in regions like Turkey and the Middle East. The tubers are harvested, dried, and ground into a fine powder. Salep has a unique, slightly sweet flavor and is often used in traditional desserts and beverages. In addition to its culinary uses, salep is known for its thickening properties, making it a popular ingredient in drinks like salep drink, which is typically served hot with milk and sugar. Due to overharvesting, the trade of salep has raised concerns about the conservation of wild orchids.