Out of all the things Turkey is famous for, one of the most under-rated is its ice cream. In contrast to other industries, we are not talking about some fake, copycat dessert for sizzling summer days but real Turkish ice cream with the unique ingredients of milk, sugar, salep and mastic. Turkish ice cream is called Dondurma which is a literal translation to mean “freezing.”.
By far, the most important room in a Turkish household is the kitchen. Turks place great emphasis on food. Not only does it fuel the body but it is also an important bond between friends, families, and strangers. Hospitality is one of the strongest pillars of Turkish society. Indeed many holidaymakers and travellers to Turkey often receive random invites to dinner from Turks they have only just met. But, it all starts and end in the kitchen, the ruling centre of any home.
Turks have mastered the simple art of combining the simplest of ingredients to produce the most satisfying dishes, and their choice of more than 300 soup recipes are perfect examples. Eaten as a snack, starter, or main course, we think Turkish soups are the best in the world and here are six reasons why you simply cannot go to Turkey without trying the famous soups.
The first advice that any discerning traveller will tell you is to observe, be aware, and respect the traditions of countries you visit. When it comes to Turkish Customs and Social Traditions, this good advice helps you to blend into the crowd. As the saying goes, the best experiences stem from acting like a local. Turks do not take food for granted. There is also nothing better than sitting down to enjoy a delicious meal with friends and family so you may find yourself invited to eat with them, even if you have just met. Whether dining with Turks or in a traditional restaurant, here are the foodie things to know about Turkey.
Many visitors to Turkey are surprised by the huge variation of mezes on offer at even the smallest of restaurants. Eaten before the meal or as a side dish, Turkish mezes are bursting mouthfuls of flavour. Freshly made with local ingredients, mezes are an integral part of dining in Turkey, and should always be enjoyed slowly, with good company and plenty of raki or cold beer.
Like many other culinary dishes of the country, most Turkish desserts have a story to tell. Steeped in cultural heritage, and drawing in a variety of influences from around the Arabic and European world, each dessert often has a meaning or local urban legend behind their recipe. They also frequently stem from the Ottoman kitchens or even further back to the nomadic Turk tribes of the eastern world.
Carefully baked using filo pastry and nut fillings, then covered with thick sticky syrup, thousands of Baklava are sold all over Turkey every day, it is easy to see just why Baklava is the national dessert of Turkey. Read on to discover more about this tasty snack.
Dining out in Istanbul is an appetising journey through some of the best cuisines of the world. It's diverse multicultural population ensures a host of international food ranging from A la carte delicacies to tasty street snacks. Travellers looking for cheap meals are just as delighted as the tourists who prefer to dine in prestigious restaurants - have a look at the mouth-watering culinary scene of Istanbul.
The regional delicacies along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts of Turkey possibly prove why it is a preferred destination for expats and foreign holidaymakers. The range of international food along with a sampling of fish, meat, vegetable and fruit specialities provides a well-balanced and rounded diet that doctors would certainly approve of!
In Turkey, there are currently more than 50 different versions of the famed kebab. With the standard donor kebab recipe having been around for more than 10 centuries, if you want to explore the kebab scene in Turkey; this blog will open your eyes with new facts and showcase 7 tasty kebabs you have to try when in Turkey.
Any trip to Turkey is not a true journey unless you relax with a famous Turkish coffee. This famous brew, steeped in history, is officially the world's favourite stimulating drink. The role of Turkey in coffee's long history is not only a crucial one, but a fascinating story stemming from inventing the brewing method still used today, to introducing the drink to Europe almost accidentally. Go pour yourself a cup, and lets learn some interesting facts you might not have known about the famous Turkish coffee.