Most of the mulberries I have seen in Turkey are white. The only place I’ve ever seen a red mulberry tree is at the sacred site of the tomb of Haci Bektasi Veli, in the town of Kirsehir. My family are of the Alevi faith, a religious minority with our own spiritual practices and culture, and Haci Bektasi Veli is one of our spiritual leaders with his beautiful poems and his philosophy. We love him and respect his wisdom.
So years later, when I came to Australia, I saw these beautiful red and purple juicy babies and fell in love with them. If you cannot find mulberries, you can substitute boysenberries. Haci Bektasi Veli may not be impressed, but he will understand — he is a most forgiving man!
This is my cake for him, and for you.