Called mahlab, mahalab, mahleb, mahaleb, mahlep or mahalep - phew!
I am a sweet and bitter aromatic spice, with a nutty taste and floral hints, made from the seeds extracted from the St. Lucia cherry, whose pits are broken to extract the kernel. It is found in many Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Greek and Egyptian dishes in small quantities to spice up sweet foods, especially in pastries and breads.