Turkey has been influenced by many cultures due to its location between the Middle East, the Caucasus, the Balkans and Europe. The cuisine of a country, which is among many cultures, has inevitably developed in a way that appeals to the taste of each country. For this very reason, the place of Turkish cuisine in the world cuisine is distinguished from the others.
Turkish cuisine is one of the most delicious cuisines in the world. It is famous for its various dishes and taste. Traditional Turkish cuisine, spicy and olive oil appetizers; offers a wide range of dishes for every taste, from milk and sorbet desserts. Finding traditional Turkish food outside of Turkey can be difficult. But before you leave your country, you can experience delicious Turkish food on the gulet.
We mentioned that traditional Turkish cuisine is a mixture of Eastern and Western influences. However, Turkish dishes are also divided into two as both Ottoman cuisine and Turkish cuisine. Ottoman cuisine is the cuisine of the Ottoman Empire, which ruled most of the Arab world, the Balkans and Eastern Europe for over 600 years.
Ottoman cuisine has a great influence on the fact that Turkish cuisine is so rich and diverse. Ottoman cuisine, on the other hand, owes its richness to the wars and conquests of the period, the coexistence of different ethnic origins and different cultures, and its ever-expanding geography. It is known that many materials such as fennel, flaxseed, poppy and mustard, which were assumed to be medicinal in the 15th century Ottoman period, were frequently used in the kitchen. Many materials such as spices or seeds have a structure that affects the smell, taste and aroma of food. The most commonly used spices are hot pepper, black pepper and salt. Turkish cuisine has been influenced by Central Asian, Middle Eastern, Caucasian, European and other regional cuisines. Olive oil, especially used in Mediterranean cuisine, has become one of the main ingredients of western dishes.
As it can be understood, the spectrum of traditional Turkish cuisine is quite wide. However, in general, it consists of various soups, meat and vegetable stews, and bulgur or rice pilafs, pastries, various kinds of salads, and desserts with syrup or milk. One of the indispensable foods of Turkish cuisine is yogurt. Many different kinds of appetizers made with yoghurt also decorate the tables.
However, another element in Turkish food and beverage culture is undoubtedly Turkish coffee. Turkish coffee can be drunk at any time of the day. Turkish coffee, which is served in a small cup with sweets such as Turkish delight and chocolate, is a must-try beverage. You can balance the slightly bitter taste of Turkish coffee with Turkish delight or chocolate. Another common cultural habit in Turkey is to turn the Turkish coffee cup upside down and look at your fortune from the grounds. This ‘ritual’, which seems very strange for another culture, is quite common in Turkish society. This habit, which is often not spiritual, is seen as a pleasant way to chat.
Türkiye’de Gulet Kiralarken Deneyebileceğiniz Bazı Geleneksel Yemekler
As mentioned above, Turkish cuisine dishes are extremely diverse. But if you have a limited holiday plan, it is not possible to taste everything, it is recommended to try the following dishes on the gulet:
• Tarhana, lentil or noodle soup
• Karniyarık or eggplant moussaka
• Kebabs (Spicy Adana Kebab or non-spicy Urfa Kebab)
• Rice or bulgur pilaf
• Stuffed peppers and their derivatives, stuffed eggplant, tomato and zucchini
• Lahmacun
• Baklava
However, one of the indispensable menus of boats or gulets is undoubtedly raki fish. Cooked fresh fish is served with various appetizers with arugula lemon, yogurt and olive oil. You can make your dinner enjoyable with a Turkish brand of raki.
The menus on the gulet may vary depending on the boat. The typical menu on a gulet is usually a selection of starters, salads, main courses and desserts. The chef of the boat can also offer barbecue, barbecue pleasure or local dishes from the regions they travel to.
