I have already written about how Turkish partners came to me and what they ate here in Russia. Many of you liked the topic and had questions, but what about food there, in Turkey itself?
Well, let's tell you based on what I happened to see and understand over the many years of cooperation with the natives of this country.
For some reason, many are sure that the Turks eat mostly at home. This is a bit different.
There are families (usually in the outback) where they prefer exclusively homemade food. But if we take big cities, then, basically, people eat in restaurants, which are apparently invisible at every step.
I can say with confidence that it is simply more profitable. In terms of the cost of food and, of course, the time spent on cooking and then cleaning.
Although breakfasts... Breakfasts are all the same family.
Usually, a Turkish breakfast is not even scrambled eggs, scrambled eggs or hard-boiled eggs. This is cheese, a lot of bread, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs and even... fish. Yes, yes, they love this business
Lunch is never the main course here. Lunch is rather a need to refuel yourself during the working day. This is not at all like ours. Soups? Yes, they are. But for the most part, these are various purees. There is one soup to eat - this is not about the Turks.
Moreover…
How is it done with us? First the salad, then the first, then the second.
And there the first is eaten initially to expand the stomach. And only then, when it "expanded", main courses are used.
Many Turks do not bother with this at all, preferring to throw meat and various vegetables into fresh bread.
By the way - bread is a sore subject. Up to the point that the issue is at the government level.
The Turks do not just love bread, they adore it. And there is a reason. Sometimes you sit in a restaurant, they bring you different snacks and, for example, a baguette... you don't have time to look back as it is gone. So delicious! It is from this deliciousness that the nation fills up at a catastrophic pace.
But I'll tell you about this later ...
But the main meal is still dinner. Dinner is the time when you are already resting, you do not need to rush. You are sitting with your wife and children, or in the company of friends, and you need to eat thoroughly! Again - bread, vegetable, fish snacks (which usually cost nothing and go as a compliment) and the main course.
Ayran, juices, rake or wine are offered as drinks. I do not recommend taking the latter, because they do not know how to do it from the word at all.
Well, after all these foods have fit into the stomach, it is time for tea and sweets.
And if we compare in terms of time, how much of it and what it takes, then the stage with tea and sweets sometimes makes up almost three quarters of the time from the entire meal.
Dinner isn't even the food itself. This is an opportunity to chat, talk.
Talk about family, about children. Talk about football and politics. This is a PROCESS! And it must pass at the highest level
That is why Turks are very constant in choosing places to eat. If they go to cafes and restaurants, then they always go to the same ones. There, where their smallest wishes know and where they feel comfortable, as if they are sitting at home, at their table
Next time I will tell you how the Turks go to picnics, what they cook there and what their attitude to this pastime is. So don't switch!