Whichever city you decide to visit in Turkey, you certainly must taste them before you leave! Both of them have a unique taste…
SalepSalep is a drink made of hot milk mixed with salep flour, which is extracted from orchid roots. Orchids have fascinated mankind for more than 3000 years, not only with its aesthetic beauty but also with its medical power. The bulbs of orchids are known as a natural aphrodisiac. On the other hand, it’s also a highly recommended drink for children to help fight against coughs and colds (the healing power of salep comes from glucomannan, which heals respiratory problems like bronchitis and cough). The drink became so popular that in order to protect the population of wild orchids, the exportation of salep has been banned. Salep is mostly a tasteful winter drink and always is topped with grinded cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger! |
BozaBoza is a thick drink full of vitamins and nutrients that will protect you against the cold winter days. Boza is a fermented wheat drink sprinkled with cinnamon and topped with roasted chickpeas. The mixture gets cooled and served after water and sugar is added. Due to the nature of the fermentation process, it contains about 1% alcohol, which led the drink to be banned in the 17th century. The traditional boza has a tart and strong flavor and a thick consistency. In Istanbul the only place that serves boza is at Fatih in Vefa Bozacısı, the only shop where you can drink a cup of traditional boza according to a recipe that dates back to the late 1800s. Also, keep your ears wide open during Ramadan, as you may hear a street vendor yelling “booohh-zaaahhh” strolling through the streets. |