What to bring from Turkey? In Turkish markets and shops there is a huge range of goods that you can buy for yourself and for your friends and relatives. We will tell you how to understand all the diversity and how you can please your friends. To return with great memories of your vacation and souvenirs from this eastern country, you should follow some tips. When buying a gift, you need to see if it has the inscription “Made in China” on it. You can buy a Chinese souvenir without leaving anywhere. Why do you need a thing that will not be authentic Turkish? It is necessary to pay close attention only to local products. Below is a list of the most popular products that you can buy at a very affordable price.

Coffee

Coffee does not grow here, but over several centuries this drink has become so traditional that in 2013 it was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Now Turkey teaches the whole world how to cook it properly. The ritual of unhurried communication over a cup of coffee has become a symbol of hospitality and friendship. For the first time, this drink was known in Istanbul in 1555, a year later public coffee houses began to open, and since then it has firmly entered the ceremonies of the Ottoman Empire.

Turkish coffee can be recognized by its fine grinding, bright taste and delicate light creamy crema. An authentic drink is brewed in a copper cezve, and for heating, a tray with sand is used, which is heated on coals. Clean water is served with a cup of coffee. It is needed in order to first remove the taste of food, and then fully enjoy the noble drink. It is not surprising that Turkish coffee is one of the most popular souvenirs among tourists. For a gift to loved ones, it is better to purchase not one large package, but several small ones in order to preserve the unique aroma.

Tea

The country has been familiar with tea for a long time, since the time of the Great Silk Road, when camel caravans carried precious goods through Asia Minor. But then the drink did not take root. It was remembered already in the 19th century, when the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire wished to have personal tea plantations. The first experience was unsuccessful, the place was chosen badly, and the plants died. The second attempt was made already in the 1920s in the east of the Black Sea. Until now, all the tea that Turkey produces grows in this area.

After 45 years, the market was saturated and the export of this drink began. Now he is extremely popular. Turks drink tea many times a day. In families, the kettle is on fire almost all the time. Drinking 20-30 cups of aromatic drink is far from the limit. It is brewed in a special way in special teapots, one, smaller, is filled with tea leaves and inserted into another, with boiling water.

The tea in the upper vessel is steamed and fully reveals its aroma. They drink it from small glass glasses, narrowed at the top. This is necessary to keep the drink hot for as long as possible. Tea drinking has become a tradition, and wherever you go, you will be offered a cup of fragrant tea. This sentence will follow immediately after the standard “how are you?” question. Usually it is prepared very strong, so an unaccustomed European should ask for a “light” drink.

Oriental sweets

It is impossible not to try the local sweets. This country is famous for its huge variety of desserts that will delight even the most demanding sweet tooth. With them, many tourists bring not only delicacies, but also extra pounds.

Kadaif is a delicate cake made from thin dough, cut into very small strips. Bake it in syrup and add almonds. Decorate this crispy delicacy with a drop of jam or whipped cream and serve with coffee.

Baklava – one of the most popular desserts is something like a gingerbread with nuts and honey. Baklava can also be purchased in Russia, but it is much tastier in Turkey. At first glance, it is not difficult to do it, but this skill is available only to experienced craftsmen. The main difficulty is that the dough for baklava must be rolled out very thinly so that a pattern on the confectioner's table can be seen through each layer.

Writing – looks like small balls of thread, and tastes like a cross between cotton candy and halva. This delicacy is made from sugar syrup, which is turned into thin fibers. In some establishments, you can watch confectioners who create the thinnest threads from boiled thick syrup.

Turkish Delight – this dessert is familiar to us, but it is worth trying the local production. The delicacy recipe is over 500 years old. It is prepared from sugar and water with the addition of starch, and rose petal extract is used for taste and aroma.

pomegranate sauce

Pomegranate sauce will be an excellent tasty souvenir. The history of its origin goes far into the past, as a seasoning it was used even in the kitchen of the Sultan's palace. Pomegranate sauce is juice boiled down to a thick syrup, especially good because it has an all-natural composition. Often spices are added to it, starch is a thickener.

The sauce is used for dressing salads, added to marinades, its combination with meat is successful. It has a characteristic spicy sour taste with a sweet aftertaste. This is not only a delicious gift, but also very useful. Pomegranate well increases hemoglobin, strengthens the immune system and saturates the body with vitamins. You can buy pomegranate sauce in the store, or you can also in the market, where it is sold in bulk.

In this case, you can be sure that it was cooked in the household. Homemade sauce is tastier than commercially made, and thicker and more flavorful. It is used very sparingly – it is enough to add just one teaspoon to the salad.

Spices

Not a single tourist will miss a visit to the oriental bazaar. The first thing that catches your eye is the incredible abundance of spices that are sold by weight. It is thanks to them that the market is shrouded in a unique aroma and strikes with bright colors. If you want to buy a set of seasonings in a gift box, then visit the local supermarket.

Red pepper flakes are a favorite spice of Turkish culinary specialists, it is considered universal. Even in a cafe, on a table next to salt and black pepper, you will see a cup with red pepper flakes. When buying, be guided by the color – the darker it is, the sharper the taste.

Thyme – this spice is considered to be Italian, however, in Turkey it is quite popular. Very often used in local cuisine, usually dried. Thyme is added to soup or when cooking meat.

Isot – this spice is made from urfa pepper. It is crushed and dried in the sun for three days. As a result, isot acquires an almost black color. It tastes quite spicy and adds piquancy to the dish.

Sumac is dried small berries with a bright sour taste, they look like peppers. Most often, sumac can be found in salads. It can also be added to rice dishes.

Mint – this aromatic spice, well known to us, is usually used in soups along with thyme. Fresh mint is not easy to find here, but dried mint is sold everywhere.

Olive oil

The country borders the Mediterranean Sea, and this region is usually associated with olive groves. Indeed, here several hundred thousand hectares are allocated for this crop, about 2 million tons of olives are harvested every year. The olive tree business is considered to be one of the most profitable. The groves are handed down from generation to generation, so the Turks' love for olive oil, which is cheap and of high quality, is quite understandable.

It is also one of the most popular souvenirs for foreigners. If you often use this oil, it makes sense to purchase it immediately in five-liter tin cans, in this form it is very convenient to transport it. Olive oil is easy to buy in souvenir shops, but it is better to do it in the market – the prices there are much lower, you can also bargain. When buying, pay attention to the color and texture. The oil should be thick with a pleasant greenish tint. The best is the first cold pressed oil.

Cheese

The traditional “cheese” countries are considered to be France, Holland and Switzerland. However, the country boasts very tasty and varied cheeses, of which there are more than 170 varieties. They are served for breakfast and dinner, used as an appetizer for wine and vodka.

White cheese – a bit like feta, made from cow, sheep or goat milk. It is soft, tender and quite salty.

Classic Turkish cheese “Tulum” – the name can be translated as “overalls”. Differs in unique technology of preparation. For him, use the milk of sheep or goats. Young cheese is placed in the skin of an animal, tightly wrapped and kept in a cave for several months. A prerequisite for storage is a certain temperature. Air circulation is also important.

In different regions, this cheese is made in its own way, using various additives, so there are a lot of varieties of it. This delicacy, combined with walnuts, is served with wine. Modern technologies make it possible to produce this cheese industrially, but you can find a product made according to an old recipe.

Kashar cheese – it looks very appetizing – yellow, fragrant, a bit like parmesan. Solid, but easily broken into pieces. Especially good with white wine.

Anise Vodka Raki

The country has not won a big international name for itself as a producer of original alcohol. However, there is one exception – the local aniseed raki. For production, young grape wine is used, to which anise seeds are added, which give a characteristic smell and taste. To get the final result, it is distilled twice.

Then insist in oak barrels for about 3 months. The finished drink has a rather large strength – up to 60 degrees and a persistent taste of anise. The use of raki has its own traditions. It implies a feast with close friends and sincere conversations. The drink is slightly diluted with water, after which it acquires a rather cloudy appearance.

Crayfish are drunk slowly, like a cocktail, with obligatory toasts in honor of those gathered at the table, and light and modest snacks are used – melon, salted almonds, cheese, sometimes fish dishes. Classical Turkish music should sound unobtrusive in the background. There are even special institutions – meyhans. This is a purely male tradition, Turkish women do not visit such places.

The drink is divided into several varieties, which vary quite a lot in price. The most expensive are available only to very wealthy people. As a souvenir, it is not necessary to buy a large bottle. You can choose several small 100-gram samplers with drinks of any kind.

Fruit

You can find many fruits for every taste. The mild climate, bright sun, fertile land – all this creates ideal conditions for agriculture. Not all fruits can be brought with you, some, such as medlar or mulberry, can only be tasted, as they do not tolerate transportation well.

Figs – the sweetest and most fragrant figs grow in the vicinity of Izmir. You can buy not only fresh fruit, but also dried – it takes out the road well and is great for light snacks.

Quince – we are used to the fact that these fruits are quite tart and sour. In Turkey, quince is sweet and tasty due to the warm climate. Although it is soft and juicy, it is not difficult to bring it home.

Pomeranian – this relative of the orange tastes more sour, but much more aromatic. Its juice is often consumed with sugar and diluted with water. The essential oil of orange is highly valued, and the fruit itself stimulates the appetite.

Jujube – This fruit is often found in the subtropics. Grows on large trees with sharp spines. The fruits look like huge olives, and their taste is delicate and pleasant.

Pistachio

Probably, every tourist will certainly take home a bag of these nuts as a souvenir. And this is not surprising, because Turkish pistachios are much tastier, larger and better than those that are on the shelves of our stores. In ancient times, they were considered “royal food” after one of the rulers suddenly ordered the entire crop of pistachios to be withdrawn from the population and announced that only privileged persons could eat them. Especially a lot of pistachios are grown in the province of Antalya, so it is profitable to buy nuts at the local market, where they will be fresh. A big plus is that you can try them before you buy.

Olive based cosmetics

It would seem, why carry something that can be purchased at home? However, it is not. The fact is that local cosmetics are the leader in quality, but they are cheaper than European counterparts. Turkish laws are very strict towards counterfeit and substandard products. It is worth paying attention to the brand Dalan d'Olive. It is the most popular brand of cosmetics based on olive oil and other natural ingredients. On sale there are a variety of care products that give an excellent moisturizing effect.

Creams, gels, shampoos, soaps will definitely come in handy at home and remind you of your vacation. Olive soap can be found not only in souvenir shops, but also in markets, pharmacies or specialized herbal shops. It works very well on the skin of the face, rejuvenating it and making it silky. It should be noted that olive soap dries the skin a little, so it is best suited if there is a tendency to oiliness.

Pink water

It can be found everywhere, especially during the month of Ramadan. Rose water is used in cosmetology to soothe, moisturize and firm the skin. No less popular is its use in cooking, for example, for preparing the traditional gullyach dish or as an additive to Turkish delight. Rose water is a by-product of the production of rose oil. Its base is distilled water, with rose essential oil as an additive.

It is obtained by distillation of petals. Evaporating moisture passes through the petals and is thus saturated with useful elements. To prepare one liter, you will need about 500 Damascus rose flowers. Every Turkish woman has a bottle of rose water, here it is considered a miracle cure. You can buy it at a pharmacy or cosmetics store.

natural oils

Be sure to purchase several bottles of natural oils, because they are inexpensive and of excellent quality. There are several types:

Natural oils should also be purchased by lovers of bath procedures. In Turkey, they are traditionally used when visiting a hammam.

Medications

Of course, medicines cannot be called souvenirs, but many tourists prefer to complete a home first aid kit in Turkey. Why is that? The fact is that the price of drugs is pleasantly surprising – several times cheaper than domestic counterparts. In addition, going to the pharmacy, you can be sure of high quality, because for counterfeiting medicines, according to Turkish laws, you can get a prison term of 30 years.

It is not difficult to find a pharmacy, they are literally at every turn. Many drugs are sold without a prescription, and the pharmacist will write you the instructions for taking the drug on the package. Prices in pharmacies are the same, so do not look for where to buy cheaper. But nevertheless, you can bargain. However, in Turkey it is worth trying to get a discount anywhere. It is also important that in cities that are especially popular with tourists, in any pharmacy in each shift there is a pharmacist who can speak Russian, so the language barrier will not bother you.

Clothing and footwear

Many are familiar with Turkish-made clothing, because it is easy to find it in domestic stores. Why bring it then? The fact is that you can buy clothes and shoes there much cheaper, because the same goods in Russia have an extra charge of 200-300%. In addition, it is quite possible to find outfits from famous European brands here, and this will not necessarily be a fake.

Many firms have their production here, as this reduces the cost of things. Local producers also deserve attention. Clothes and shoes are of high quality. You can choose both universal options and luxurious holiday items. Creating a beautiful image is available not only to women, but also to men and children.

natural fabrics

What tourists should definitely buy is textiles, because Turkey is one of the largest producers. Especially it is necessary to pay attention to cotton and bamboo fabrics. The quality is top notch and the prices are amazing. Cotton clothes, jeans and bedding last for years without losing their attractive appearance. Silk fabrics and products made from them are also very good. The largest selection is in Alanya. Silk scarves are most often brought from this city.

There are a great many of them here – with intricate patterns, decorated with gold or silver embroidery, with fringe or braid. They often bring terry towels and bathrobes, these things are of excellent quality and will delight you for many years. For purchases of this kind, you need to go to shopping centers. You should not buy textiles in the markets, as the price there does not match the quality. Pretentious boutiques are too expensive and sell luxury items. As an option, you can visit one of the specialized stores, which are usually located at textile factories.

Leather and fur

High-quality leather and fur items have long been the hallmark of the country, and many tourists try to bring some of these products home. In order to purchase a bag, jacket or sheepskin coat, you can contact the factory directly.

Pros:

If there is no desire to visit the factory, it is easy to buy the desired leather item in the market.

Pros:

sightseeing tours offer trips to leather and fur shops. Zeytinburnu district in Istanbul is very popular. His competitor is Ataturk Jaddesi in Antalya. You can also make leather clothes to order or purchase at an exhibition or fashion show. Leather shoes are also of high quality and attractive appearance.

Cezva

Cezva is a container for making Turkish coffee. It can be considered the most popular souvenir, because it is not only a national treasure, but also a beautiful, useful thing in everyday life. Traditionally, it was made of forged copper, such rods are time-tested. Copper has a high thermal conductivity. Thanks to this, the water is evenly heated, and the coffee fully gives off the taste and aroma without boiling. The shape of the cezve is conical, the neck is narrowed.

This is necessary so that the foam that forms on the surface does not allow the essential oils to evaporate. The range is great – from simple and cheap options to exclusive and expensive ones. It is best to purchase a copper Turk, decorated with handmade embossing, with a comfortable long handle. Such a cezve will be a memorable souvenir or an ideal gift for loved ones, and the process of making coffee will become a beautiful traditional ritual.

Traditional Turkish glasses

Beautiful small glass cups for tea are called armuds. Their shape resembles a tulip, and this is not only a tribute to beauty, but also a guarantee of comfortable tea drinking. In the upper expanded part, the drink cools down faster and you can drink it without burning yourself. The lower part, on the contrary, retains heat for a long time, and the temperature of the tea remains optimal. Classic glasses have a capacity of 100 ml, but you can find more – 120-150 ml. Usually armuds are made without a handle, but especially for Europeans, the Turks produce cups with a handle.

Glasses decorated with ethnic ornaments look especially attractive. Sometimes the original cup holder is included. An excellent souvenir would be a whole tea set: a two-tier teapot, a set of glasses with glass holders and saucers. Coffee sets are also popular – two cups with saucers and spoons, a miniature elegant sugar bowl and a tray.

Kettle

Tourists will forever remember the unique taste of the tea they taste here. Many try to recreate it when they return home. In order for this attempt to be successful, it is worth buying an original teapot before leaving. It operates on the principle of a samovar and consists of two tiers. Water is poured into the lower container, tea leaves are poured into the upper one.

The whole structure is set on fire. After a few minutes, the tea, which is heated in a water bath, begins to give off its aroma. At this point, the tea leaves are poured with boiling water from the lower container. Then you should reduce the fire and darken the tea for about 15 minutes. Enjoying a cup of aromatic drink, you can feel like in Istanbul again. For greater authenticity, you should choose a teapot made of copper. It is perfect for home use and as a gift for a tea ceremony lover.

Hookah

One of the main symbols is the hookah. A favorite pastime of local residents is long abstract conversations accompanied by smoking using this device. It is not surprising that markets and souvenir shops are filled with hookahs of various shapes and sizes. By purchasing it on the market, it makes sense to bargain, there is an opportunity to get a significant discount. Do not pay attention to cheap aluminum models – they will not last long.

An important detail is the size of the hookah. To decorate the interior, options with a height of less than 30 cm are used. Hookah up to 45 cm is intended for rare use, and all models over 50 cm are for permanent smoking. Be sure to think about how to transport it. The fact is that in some airlines hookah is prohibited for transportation in the cabin. In order not to encounter such an unpleasant situation at the airport, it is worth studying the issue in advance.

Foam smoking pipes

Another unique souvenir designed for smoking is a pipe made of foam. Its local name is meerschaum. This material was formed from the remains of the ancient inhabitants of the sea. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that foam is mined in only one place in the world – in the village of Eshkishir, 200 km away from Istanbul.

It is impossible to imagine the best material for a smoking pipe – the foam heats up evenly and not much, absorbs excess moisture and resins, and does not burn. They are decorated with original carvings, such a souvenir looks very worthy. The very best pipes are made from a single piece of foam and can be identified by the “Block Meerschaum” or “Solid meerschaum” stamp. Of course, such a souvenir is not cheap, but it is a durable unique author's product, a kind of “aristocrat” among pipes.

Onyx

Turkey is one of the six countries leading the industrial extraction of this mineral, so onyx products have been and remain very popular with numerous tourists. The factory museum is located in the Pamukkale area. Visiting it is included in many standard tourist programs. Visitors can watch the process of creating onyx products. There you can also visit the company store, which surprises with a variety of jewelry, dishes, figurines, vases and other souvenirs.

Onyx looks like marble and is most often presented in yellow, brown, beige or greenish shades. Found almost everywhere. It is quite difficult to fake this mineral, so there is no doubt about the quality of the products. Real onyx can be distinguished by looking through it at a bright light. The mineral partially passes it and, as it were, glows from the inside.

Ceramics

Here, ceramic products are found almost everywhere. They are sold in small shops, shops, shopping centers and markets. A rare tourist resists the temptation to buy a beautiful ceramic souvenir. The city of Kutahya is considered to be the capital of Turkish ceramics. The uniqueness of products from this city is in a special painting. Local craftsmen know the secret of obtaining unusually bright dyes from coral and cobalt blue.

Such paints cannot be reproduced anywhere else in the world. Products made of white clay, covered with amazing painting, are exported to many countries. In Antalya, vegetable paints are used. The secrets of their blending used to be kept in families and passed down from generation to generation. These products are not only pleasing to the eye, but also useful in everyday life.

The ware is very strong as contains up to 80% of quartz. It can even be washed in the dishwasher. When tapped, it rings like porcelain. Most often, ceramic products are painted with floral ornaments, but geometric ornaments are also found. The most popular colors are blue, red and green. Each shade has its own meaning.

Carpets

Carpets are made from wool, silk or cotton. An interesting fact – the cost of the product does not depend on the size, but on the density. The more knots per square meter, the more expensive. The ornament on the carpet also matters. The traditional Turkish carpet is a kind of story about the woman who wove it. Each motif has a specific meaning. When purchasing this product, you must ask the seller for a certificate of authenticity.

If the carpet is really high quality, you will be provided with information about the origin, materials and age of the product. Carpets dyed with natural dyes retain their color longer than those dyed with chemical dyes. Therefore, over time, the color will fade, but it will look beautiful and organic. Naturally, a real Turkish quality handmade carpet cannot be cheap, so you should be wary if you are offered a product at a relatively low price.