Hi everyone! In today's blog I would love to show you some of the most traditional and popular drinks of Turkey. There are so many that you will enjoy and this is a blog for you to get to know each one of them.
1. AYRAN
Ayran, this is one of the most famous drinks in Turkey. It's made of yogurt, salt and water. It's very easy to make on our own. Since, the only thing we have to do is to mix up all these ingredients I already mentioned and according to our own taste and desired thickness. Ayran is one of the fundamental drinks in Turkish culture. It's believed that it was developed by the Gokturks thousands of years ago. When they mixed bitter yogurt with water to improve its flavor. So, this drink is dating back to Central Asia. Ayran goes excellent when eating kebab, doner or any other street foods, it can be easily found in any restaurant in Turkey and in my case I'm a big fan of Ayran, especially the summer season because it's a refreshing drink.
2. ÇAY
Çay. This Turkish word in English means tea and Turkey is one of the top five tea growing nations in the entire world. As a result, Turkey regularly ranks as one of the highest per capita tea consumers on the planet. The tea leaves are grown in the Black Sea coastline of Turkey, that goes from the Rize all the way to the borders with Georgia thanks to the mild weather, and the high level of rainfall in that region. Now, this is a question that most of us are curious about and this is about how Turkish people typically take their Turkish tea. Well, they usually drink their tea from these small, tulip shaped glasses, and if wished you can add sugar. They will all the time drink it boiling hot. There is not like a bit hot or hot No, it must be boiling hot and in a Turkish daily life, They will start their day with a tea during their breakfast and along the day there will be all the time drinking it. Either, with friends, at work, in gatherings, in meetings anywhere at any time. This Turkish tea will be found in any single place in Turkey, you will be offered after you go to a restaurant, and after finishing your food, you will be offered some tea, as well, if you are in the most touristic areas in I mean anywhere in Turkey especially in Istanbul as soon as you enter a shop you will be offered some tea. So, you won't have any trouble when when finding this special drink.
3. THE TURKISH COFFEE
The Turkish coffee was brought to Istanbul in 1555 by two Syrian traders. During the 17th century it was essential in the Ottoman Empire court, that even women in the harem were trained on how to prepare that perfect Turkish coffee. It's special preparation, brewing techniques, and its rich communal culture made it worthy of being inscribed in 2013 into the UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
The Turkish coffee represents hospitality and friendship and its importance in social occasions also was a big factor for it to be inscribed in this UNESCO's list. For example, this coffee is usually served in special holidays, and also during engagement ceremonies. Another interesting fact about Turkish coffee, is that after finishing it some people can read our future from the shapes left by the coffee grounds in the cup.
The process for reading these cups after finishing our Turkish coffee is, first of all imagine that here we have the coffee from all the leftovers here the only thing we will do is, we will put it like this and we will let everything to come, to this plate. We will let it cool down, and after five-ten minutes, Then, you can turn it and from all the it's inside that person will be able to read your fortune. Another instrument needed for preparing the Turkish coffee is the one called "cezve," and that one looks at something like this one.
You will find them in different sizes, this one is a medium size, but also there are smaller ones and bigger ones. Here, what you have to do is to put the coffee then water and then sugar if wished, and you will put it on your stove to warm it up. That's the way we do it at home but the traditional way and that's the way you will see it in the most touristic areas in Istanbul or in any other city within Turkey. You will see stands and people warming the coffee in sand.
That's a very great option as well. So, when you come to Turkey, don't forget to buy this "cezve" and your cups and your Turkish coffee.
When drinking coffee usually it will be served along with little chocolates and "lokum" and also water. Why is this? Water is very important after drinking Turkish coffee, because if you have previously try it, or if not, I will explain you why This coffee at the very end it has a sandy texture so when you're finishing it, you can feel it coming to your mouth. You shouldn't drink that But in case you do it, and also for the strong flavor this coffee has at the end. You can just drink water and refresh your mouth.
4. BOZA
The boza is mostly a wintertime drink in Turkey, and it comes to color up those grey days, that we usually have in the country during this season.
This "boza" comes from fermented grains, and also it has a nutritious value such as protein, zinc, iron, among others.
The Central Asian Turks began to make "boza" in the 10th century but in different other centuries this beverage was banned by different sultans for its high alcoholic level caused by the excessive fermentation of the grains. Then, in the 19th century a non alcoholic and sweet version became very popular among the society and nowadays this is the one we can find and enjoy while in Turkey.
4. SAHLEP
The Sahlep is only found in Turkey during the winter season in the country, and this is a sweet and hot beverage, and if wished it can also be topped with cinnamon.
In Istanbul you will find that anywhere and you will usually see also people selling them on the streets in little stands, and they will be selling them to people who are walking in the cold weather and even also if, you are taking a ferry ride from Europe to Asia or vice versa, you can also buy one from there.
The most interesting fact of this drink is that it is made from "orchids" and Turkey is one of the richest countries from Europe and the Middle East which has the most different types of these flowers. The word "sahlep" comes from the old languages spoken in the Anatolian region of Turkey and back then and back in the days the "orchid" was known as "sahlep". The "sahlep" is made from the roots of the orchid which are grinned into a type of very thin flour, and this one is the one we use for making the "sahlep".
5. ŞALGAM
Şalgam is a popular and non-alcoholic drink from Southern Turkey. Usually in places selling raki also Şalgam will be served as a non-alcoholic beverage and raki and Şalgam complement the flavors of each drink.
Şalgam is made out of purple carrots which have been fermented for several weeks in wooden barrels along with bulgur, wheat and salt.
6. ŞIRA
The Şıra is a fermented grape juice.
When the boza season is already coming to an end, during the spring season. Then, is the perfect time for looking for Şıra, which is usually consumed during warmer weather.
The Şıra is made by fermenting grape juice but the process will be stopped right before the sugar turns into alcohol. One can easily say that Şıra replaced the wine on Muslim dining tables of the Ottoman Empire.
7.RAKI
The Raki is the alcoholic national drink in Turkey.
This one is made out of different fruits in different regions, but the main ones will be grapes, figs and plums often anise flavored. This is a quite strong drink, and this is why if you consume raki, I recommend you taking it slowly. What do we have to do with raki? How do we usually drink it? Well, first of all, you need one clear straight narrow glass and then the raki will be added from 1/3 up to half of the glass and the rest will be mixed with water and ice.
Usually Turks consume raki along with some other mezeler, mezeler means different type of appetizers or snacks, usually cold and the favorite ones for drinking raki will be different type of cheeses and yellow melon known in Turkish as "kavun." also fish goes very well while drinking raki.
8. SHERBET
The sherbet is a sweet drink made from fruits and flower petals.
This one also has a long and rich history For example, "Suleiman the Magnificent" was said that he was a big fan of sherbet even his wife the famous "Roxolana or Hurrem" has a sherbet named after her.
The sherbet was one of the most important features of a grand Ottoman banquet. The flavors for the sherbet are endless, but the most popular ones are rose, tamarind, mandarin and pomegranate. In the present time sherbet is reserved for special occasions and during the month of Ramadan, it is very popular when people enjoy the sherbet after the sunset to break the days fast. These were some of the most popular and famous Turkish drinks that can enjoy when traveling here. So you already have an idea when you come to Turkey or Istanbul which ones you must try.
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