Turkey isn’t only rich in history, culture, and cuisine. The ethnic Turkish communities have also a strong cuisine that gives the land a lot of different flavors and styles. The food is so tasteful that exploring the vibrating streets of Istanbul will amaze you just as much as seeing the serene surroundings of Cappadocia. These are definitely the foods one can’t miss during a trip to Turkey.
Kebabs: The Quintessential Turkish Dish
Kebabs are the national dish that associate most preferably with the spirit of Turkey and come in countless variations. The most iconic of them is the Adana Kebab, a simple minced lamb kebab flavored with spices, broiled on skewers. There are also Shish Kebabs, bits of marinated meat (usually lamb or chicken) that are grilled together with vegetables, available. Kebab, for each and every part of Turkey, is a kind of local symbol, which makes it a kind of cultural quest as well as a gourmet one.
Baklava: A Sweet Delight
Baklava is a dessert that Turks have been making for a long time, and it’s one of the most famous desserts in the world. This is primarily prepared with phyllo (a special kind of thin and stretchy dough) which is layered and laid on top of each other. They are filled with broken nuts and seasoned with honey or syrup. Most of the varieties contain pistachio and walnut. If you want to have a treat during your trip, then a visit to Turkey is a must since it is something you can’t skip eating.
Pide: Turkish Flatbread Pizza
Pide often loves to be called Turkish pizza, but it is quite different from the Italian original. This flatbread with a shape resembling a boat can be topped with different ingredients: e.g. a version with minced meat, cheese, spinach, or eggs. And after that, it is covered with another layer of the same mixture of food and baked until the food is ready. Whereas Lahmacun, its cousin that is less thicker and minced with other ingredients, is equally well received and one can stuff it with fresh vegetables, and lemon as a last touch.
Meze: A Feast of Small Dishes
Meze is a selection of small dishes that are either served as an appetizer or constitute a light meal. It has a very special place in Turkish dining culture and is mostly consumed with rakı, the national alcoholic drink of Turkey. Besides, the most popular meze includes among others hummus, dolma (stuffed grape leaves), haydari (a yogurt-based dip with herbs), and ezme (a spicy tomato and pepper dip). The variety and tastefulness of meze allow us to get an insight into the different culinary traditions of Turkey.
Turkish Tea and Coffee: A Cultural Experience
Turkey’s local beverages should not be missed on any culinary trip in this country. Turkish tea served in small tulip-shaped glasses is one of the essentials of Turkish hospitality and is drunk at any time of the day. Turkish coffee is yet another thing that cannot be missed; it is a thick, potent black coffee usually served with a sweet treat like Turkish delight. The cooking and presentation of Turkish coffee involve a lot of age-old customs and take on a ceremonial connotation, being not just an ordinary beverage but much more—it becomes an event.
The interesting part of the Turkey food is that it has items that cater to both people who like sweet as well as savory and those who would finish their meal with an appetizer. Basically, Turkish food offers a wide spectrum, from the sweet flavor of desserts to the spicy taste of appetizers, through to meaty dishes, one can get any taste fulfilled.