Foreigners' Favorite Turkish Flavors

Turkish cuisine is one of the deep-rooted and rich world cuisines. It contains flavors that fascinate not only our people but also foreigners. It is a diverse cuisine ranging from meat dishes to olive oil dishes, pastries and desserts with sherbet. For tourism to be vibrant, it is important that the food culture is developed and the cuisine is well promoted. Foreign tourists who come to visit our country also show great interest in Turkish food and want to taste the famous flavors of our country. In this article, we have brought together the favorite Turkish flavors of foreign tourists. Happy reading!

Turkish cuisine is one of the long-established and richest cuisines in the world. It contains flavors that fascinate not only Turkish people but also foreigners. It is a diverse cuisine ranging from meat dishes to olive oil dishes, pastries and desserts with sherbet. For tourism to be vibrant, it is important that the food culture is developed and the cuisine is well promoted. Foreign tourists who come to visit our country also show great interest in Turkish food and want to taste the famous flavors of our country. In this article, we have brought together the favorite Turkish flavors of foreign tourists.

Good reading!

Kebab, Indispensable in Turkish Cuisine

The first dish that comes to mind when it comes to Turkish cuisine in the world is undoubtedly kebab. There are many types of kebab prepared by cooking red meat flavored with spices on barbecue or in ovens. Adana, beyti, çökertme, Urfa, shish, cağ, istim, testi kebab are just a few of the most famous varieties. Our world-famous döner is also considered a type of kebab. The meat is skewered and slowly cooked vertically in front of a wood fire. It is one of the most preferred Turkish dishes by tourists.

Turkish Dishes with Olive Oil

Olive oil dishes have always had a special place in Turkish cuisine. The fact that they are non-disturbing, light and delicious attracts not only us but also tourists. Especially stuffed leaves are perhaps the most loved and consumed type of olive oil. Apart from this, there are many other varieties such as kidney bean stew, stuffed peppers, green beans, eggplant, artichoke, broad beans, okra. Olive oil dishes are often preferred for a cool meal on summer days. They are made and consumed more in coastal areas where olive trees grow. It would not be correct to consider olive oil dishes only as a starter. Most of the time, it also takes its place on the tables as the main course.

Lahmacun, the Turkish Dish Without a Recipe

Lahmacun, known as Turkish pizza in the world, is another Turkish food that tourists are interested in. The biggest difference from pizza is that there is no cheese inside. The dough is topped with minced meat, spices, parsley and baked in the oven. If desired, salad can be added on top again. It means meat dough in Arabic. Şanlıurfa's lahmacuns are very famous and Gaziantep lahmacuns are made with garlic.

Menemen, Indispensable for Breakfast

An indispensable breakfast dish, menemen is made with tomatoes, eggs and peppers. Onion can also be added upon request. It is rumored that the first menemen was made by the Cretan Turks who came to Menemen district of Izmir with the exchange and it takes its name from this district. It can be considered a meal due to the abundance of ingredients and the fact that it is cooked on the stove. Menemen made with the red tomatoes of the summer months take their place on the tables of summer evenings.

Hand Rolled Manti Flavor

Ravioli, which takes hours to make but just as short to eat, is one of the most satisfying dishes of Turkish cuisine. It is prepared by putting minced meat flavored with spices into small pieces of dough. The yogurt and mint added on top add to the flavor. One of the best places where manti is made is Kayseri and it is said that 40 of its famously small manti fit on a spoon. Manti, which has similar dishes all over the world, is a dish that foreign tourists will not find far from them.

Köfte

The minced meat is prepared by shaping it into round or flat shapes. Ingredients such as bread, onions, spices and eggs can also be added to flavor the minced meat. It is cooked with different techniques such as baking, frying and steaming. There are many varieties such as Akçaabat, ıslama, İnegöl, kadınbudu and cızbız. There are also meatballs made with lentils and bulgur instead of minced meat. Raw meatballs made without any heat treatment are also quite famous. In 2008, the sale of raw meatballs with meat was banned due to health hazards. For this reason, producers started to add spices to the raw meatballs to give the appearance of meat and since then, meatless raw meatballs have been consumed.

Turkish Appetizers to Start

These are snacks served in small portions at the beginning of a meal and are generally made with seasonal vegetables. There are varieties made from feta cheese, melon, Circassian chicken, olive oil dishes, muska pastry and dried vegetables. There are also fish appetizers such as lakerda, sardines and mackerel. Care is taken to ensure that they are light and do not disturb the stomach. The word meze originates from the Persian word "maza", which means flavor. Serving appetizers on the table is a sign of the richness of the table. Appetizers are not eaten to fill the stomach, but to enjoy.

Turkish Baklava Indispensable for Foreign Tourists

Another unique flavor... Baklava is a dessert prepared by placing peanuts, hazelnuts or walnuts between thin phyllo sheets. The preparation of this dessert, which is almost impossible to dislike, may vary according to regions. Gaziantep is famous for being the city where this flavor is best made. There are too many tricks to count to make a good baklava. Factors such as the soil where the wheat grows, the harvest time of the pistachio and how the animal from which the milk is taken is fed are very important. In addition, the crunch that comes out while eating fresh baklava adds a different pleasure to eating it. It is one of the most curious flavors for tourists and it is almost impossible for them to regret when they taste it.

Lokum

Dating back to the 15th century but popularized in the 18th century, Turkish delight is a world-famous Turkish dessert. It is prepared with ingredients such as water, sugar, starch and dried fruits. There are varieties prepared with rose water, coconut, pistachio, pistachio, clotted cream, chocolate, and almost every fruit and sweetener you can think of. It is known as Turkish Delight all over the world for its soft texture. It balances the characteristic bitter taste of Turkish coffee very well, so it has become a tradition to serve it with coffee. It is also worth mentioning that Afyon Turkish Delight has a special place!

Künefe Taste

Between two layers of kadayif, unsalted cheese is placed, baked and soaked in syrup. Curd cheese, Antep cheese or specially produced kunafeh cheese are among the most commonly used cheeses. The Anatolian city famous for künefe is Hatay. It is recommended to be served hot or warm. It is cooked and served on special trays. You can put nuts such as pounded pistachios, hazelnuts, walnuts or coconut on top of the künefe. It is one of the desserts preferred by foreign tourists with its unique flavor.

Turkish Coffee

The tradition of coffee culture that has come from the Ottoman Empire to the present day is an indispensable part of Turkish Cuisine. It has a completely different flavor with its unique foam, smell and presentation style. It originated in the 14th century from Abyssinia. Turkish coffee is traditionally brewed in a pot called cezve. However, it can be brewed in any pot. Turkish coffee also has potential benefits. Improves athletic performance. Contains beneficial compounds. May protect against mental decline. It may have protective effects against some diseases. In addition to the potential benefits, there are also disadvantages.

If you are curious about world cuisines besides Turkish delicacies, you can check our article called The 10 Most Delicious Cuisines of the World.