Turkish Delight, a sweet aromatic jelly mass of flavoured sugar, is as much a byword of the country as is French wine, Dutch Tulips and Swiss chocolate. The unlocked flavours when you bite into a delight are as exotic as a trip through the back alleys of Istanbul. Known the world over, and called Lokum in Turkey, to truly know the original, authentic version, you need to taste … [Read more...]

Turkish cuisine is fast making a name for itself on the worldwide culinary platform. The combination of flavours and ingredients are blended together to form dishes  historically influenced by a number of cultures including the Greeks, Ottomans, middle eastern and Balkans. Traditional dishes will vary from region to region so on this list, we bring you the most popular Turkish … [Read more...]

If you want to try some Turkish customs and traditions, an easy induction is to drink a glass of Raki, the unofficial national alcoholic drink of Turkey. It tastes like the Greek equivalent of Ouzo and is widely consumed in Turkey despite high price increases over the last few years. There is certain etiquette to drinking it though. Just like the French respect their wines and … [Read more...]

Many places in Turkey are credited for a specific culinary delight. The region of Kars in the east excels at cheese production while the humble town of Soke on the Aegean coast is well known for its roadside restaurants serving Cop-Sis kebabs. However, perhaps the province of Gaziantep in Southeast Turkey garners the most fame. It has a worldwide reputation for delicious … [Read more...]

When planning a visit to Turkey, it is likely you will read articles suggesting you taste baklava. Widely popular from the east to the west, I have yet to meet a Turk whose eyes do not light up when it is mentioned. Personally, I don’t like baklava. Its sweetness cuts through to the sensitivity of my teeth but I am a strong believer that everyone should try it at least … [Read more...]

Australian readers will be delighted with the latest food series to hit our screens. It started on July the 31st and features the well-known Shane Delia as he… “Explores the historical and cultural foundations of this colourful country, and experiences the legacy of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires to create a contemporary twist on those Turkish flavours” Guidelines … [Read more...]

Starters, appetizers, hors d’oeuvre are all the same word for a pre-meal small dish. They are nothing new in the world of cuisine. Known all over the world, they are intended to kick start the appetite and satisfy the palate until the main meal arrives. Mezes are the Turkish equivalent but the concept is more than just a starter. The Turks put just as much work and thought … [Read more...]

The simple but humble soup is a staple part of Turkish cuisine. When I first came to Turkey, I was quite amused after a night out partying, to be eating in the soup kitchen, rather than heading for the local kebab shop. I was even more surprised when working in an office once, to find to my co-workers ordering soup deliveries for breakfast. I learned that before the staple … [Read more...]

Countries all over the world have old age traditions for telling the future. It can involve the use of tarot cards, planet readings, or rune stones. Some people take the predictions seriously and others view it as something fun but nothing to lead your life by. In Turkey, a popular method to tell the future is Turkish coffee cup readings. Turkish Coffee and Fortune … [Read more...]

In Turkey, there are many opportunities to introduce your palette to new and exciting tastes. The cuisine is widely praised around the world for its diversity and one culinary item to try is traditional Turkish ice cream.  The taste is very different compared to commercially produced ice cream either in Turkey or in western countries. Turkish Ice cream Traditional Turkish … [Read more...]

The Turkish kebab is part of everyday cuisine. Even in the UK, I have memories of Friday or Saturdays nights, when we used to pile out the pub and into the local kebab shop. The ideal late night snack was flat pitta bread, filled with döner meat, lettuce, tomato, onions and topped off with a hot chili sauce. It was not until I came to Turkey, that I realized the pitta bread … [Read more...]

Anyone who has spent time in Turkey will tell you that the cuisine is definitely varied and diverse. Throughout history, Turks have made use of any ingredient to produce tasty and delicious dishes including desserts. On our top ten list, there are some well-known deserts that any foreigner can associate with but there are also some surprises and new tastes to introduce your … [Read more...]

Turkish cuisine is diverse. The variety on offer ensures everyone can find a dish they like. Hardcore meat lovers will be satisfied with tasting their way through the 40 different varieties of kebabs and even vegetarians can find a wide choice from the simple Gozleme to a complex stew or meze tray. One cuisine is seldom mentioned though and often overlooked by the … [Read more...]