GASTRONOMY
Turkish cuisine cannot be distinguished with the basic meal but it stands out for its variety, ways of preparing and preserving food, techniques, eating manners, equipment and utensils required for preparation. Its diversity is expressed through the variety of products, interaction of various cultures in history, development of new tastes.
Turkish dishes are rich and substantial, often prapared with vegetables, cereals, or meat. The Eastern region is famous for livestock farming, so butter, yogurt, cheese, honey, meat and cereals are pretty much the basic food.
For instance, in Konya, the great center of culture, people enjoy the clay oven kebab, meat and vegetable dishes and helva desserts. Further towards the west, due to fertile valleys, fruits and vegetables are really abundant, and olive oil is used in all the dishes.
The Black Sea coast abounds in hazelnuts, tea and corn. The sea here is home to a small fish called hamsi, served in more than 40 dishes. The Eastern part of the country is characterized by spicy food, kebabs and sweet pastries.
However, the Marmara region stants out as the culinary center with variety of fruits, vegetables and flavoured lamb.
As to the beverages, as you have already heard or read, the Turkish coffee has a great significance in social life; they would probably say it is the setting and the company that matters; the coffee is just an excuse for the occasion. Tea is a great source of coffeine. It is prepared and served in special way; usually served in small glasses to show its colour and to keep it hot.
Though rich and substantial, some Turkish dishes may be example to healthy and balanced diets and vegetarian cuisines.
Their nutritional habits vary from region to region, and depend on different geographical position, economical and ecological factors.
MORE ABOUT TURKEY:
Turkey is is an alluring destination, with magnificent scenery of picturesque coves and rocky headlands, turquoise waters, golden beaches and pine forests. Many harbours, beautiful resorts such as Antalya, Fethiye, Kas, Marmaris, Hisaronu… and sunshine make it more enchanting.
Turkey has been called the cradle of civilization. Catalhoyuk is a neolithic city and the first town in the world which dates back to 6,500 BC. Turkey is a country of rich historical and cultural heritage.
Weather is conditioned by variety of climates in Turkey due to diverse nature of the landscape. Each region with different conditions, from the Mediterranean climate to the Continental one, and then the temperate climate of the Black Sea region.
The Turkish culture is rather diverse, influenced by the Ottoman Empire, European and Islamic traditions and is reflected in different aspects of life. Architecture was quite important with social and religious complex built around the mosques