Thick, rich buffalo milk cream with a silky texture, served with date syrup and warm flatbread for breakfast. This legendary Iraqi dairy product is the cornerstone of the traditional Iraqi morning meal.
Nutrition & Info
Allergen Warnings
Equipment Needed
Instructions
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1
Pour milk and cream into a wide, shallow heavy-bottomed pan. The wider the pan, the more cream will form on the surface.
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2
Heat the milk over the lowest possible flame. Do not stir. Let it heat very slowly for 2-3 hours.
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3
As the milk heats, a thick layer of cream will form on the surface. Do not disturb this layer.
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4
Once the cream layer is thick and set, carefully slide a flat spatula underneath to lift it off in one piece.
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5
Roll or fold the cream onto a serving plate. The texture should be dense, rich, and slightly stretchy.
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6
Serve immediately with a generous drizzle of date syrup, warm flatbread for scooping, and sweet tea alongside.
Did You Know?
Baghdad's famous Abu Afif gaimer shop has served the same recipe for over 80 years, with lines stretching down the block every morning.
Chef's Notes
Equipment Tips
- wide shallow pan
- ladle
- serving plates
The Story Behind Gaimer
Gaimer is the pride of Iraqi breakfast culture, a luxuriously thick clotted cream that has been made from buffalo and cow milk since the pastoral age. In Baghdad, gaimer shops open before dawn to serve workers and families their morning ritual of cream with date syrup and bread. The tradition of gaimer-making reflects Iraq's deep dairy heritage, with water buffalo historically raised in the southern marshlands providing the richest milk. Gaimer with dibis is to Iraq what croissants are to France — an irreplaceable morning institution.
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