Baklava is a dessert with a complex and contested origin, primarily associated with Turkey, Greece, and the broader Middle East. It is generally believed to have ancient roots dating back to Mesopotamia around 2800 BC, where early versions involved layering unleavened flatbread with nuts and honey

. The dessert evolved significantly during the Byzantine Empire, which developed the concept of layered dough, and was perfected in its modern form during the Ottoman Empire (14th to early 20th century). The Ottomans refined the delicate phyllo layers and introduced a variety of nuts and spices, making baklava a staple in the imperial kitchens of Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace

. Today, baklava is a common dessert across West Asia, Southeast Europe, Central Asia, and North Africa, with many cultures adapting it to their own tastes. Turkey is often credited as the origin of the modern baklava, with the Turkish city Gaziantep being famous for it, and the dish spreading through the Ottoman Empire to Greece and other regions

. Greece also claims baklava as part of its culinary heritage, with distinct variations such as the use of walnuts, almonds, pistachios, and spices like cinnamon and cloves

. In summary, baklava originated in the ancient Near East but was developed into its current form mainly during the Ottoman Empire, with Turkey and Greece being the primary cultural centers associated with the dessert today