What do Turkish and Greek cuisine have in common? And how do they differ? Is Baklava Greek or Turkish? And rolled grape leaves? Which country made the first olive oil? What about phyllo pastry? So many mouthwatering questions. One thing is sure, these two countries, situated side by side in the Mediterranean sea, have both been heavily influenced by their Mediterranean culture, which comes out in their culinary processes. They share a similar climate, the prosperous Mediterranean sun, and many of the same landscapes. While their histories differ, they both have a shared but unique heritage, which is beautifully and subtly reflected in their cuisine.
To better understand their cooking, let’s take a look at their history. One of the first residents of Greece, ( 2700 BC), the Minoans, domesticated grains, made the first wines from wild grapes and pressed the first olive oil, which soon became foundational to the Greek economy.
After that, the ancient Greeks arrived from the Ural mountain area, bringing with them cattle and bees for making honey. This people invented bread, developed the wine-making process, cultivated orchards of fruit and nut trees, ancient olive groves, figs, pistachios, and gathered greens.
Turkey, on the other hand, by its mere location, was influenced by Asia and the Middle East, as well as Europe, and of course Greece. It is one of the few self-sustaining countries in the world, thanks to its size and diversity. Much of its culinary heritage can be traced back to the period of the Ottoman Empire, but it also comes from many of its neighbors: wine from Greece, sugar, rice and sweets from Persia, skewered meats (shis-kebabs) and flat breads show nomadic influence.
The Ottomans, among other things, served to bring variety, freshness, color, and refinement to Turkish cuisine, which has been exported throughout the world.
Some dishes are virtually the same within the two countries, while others radically differ. Both the Greeks and Turks have a delicious chicken soup they make, both with a bit of lemon, but the Turks add a bit of yoghurt (a Turkish invention) to theirs and use only egg yolks, while the Greeks use whole eggs. The herbs, spices and vegetables are slightly different as well.
Both the Greeks and the Turks make tasty salads from a variety of raw fresh vegetables; the Greeks may add Feta cheese, while the Turks may spice it up with peppers.
Both the Greeks and the Turks prepare stuffed vine leaves. The Turks have a traditional recipe invented for the Ottoman sultan that uses cherries, dried currants, cinnamon, parsley, dill, and allspice along with long grain rice, lemon juice and olive oil. A typical Greek such preparation (called dolmades) would be made of risotto rice, fennel, mint, onions, lemon juice and olive oil.
And of course, baklava is a heralded treat of both nations. The Greeks refined the pastry, perhaps first developed by the Assyrians, into its famous thin leaf appearance (phyllo means leaf in Greek) and concocted the pastry with honey and walnuts. It was the Ottoman empire that added the pistachios and other spices like, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves.
To eat Turkish or Greek cuisine is truly a celebration of the blending of peoples, ideas, and flavors, all subtly woven together in a savory tapestry, a delight for the eyes.
FAQs
Both countries are known for creating delicious kebabs, such as skewered lamb, served with a cucumber and yoghurt mint dip. As both countries have large coastlines, fish and seafood are also commonly served in both locations.
Are Greek and Turkish similar? ›
Greek and Turkish languages are quite distinct in origin and structure. But even there, I would first hear the rhythm, pace, and intonation of the passerby speaker and immediately assume the person was speaking Turkish.
What Greek food has Turkish origin? ›
Some Greek dishes are inherited from Ottoman cuisine, which combined influences from Persian, Levantine-Arabic, Turkish and Byzantine cuisines: meze, kadaifi, halva, and loukoumi.
What is Turkish food most similar to? ›
Turkish cuisine with traditional Turkic elements such as yogurt, ayran, kaymak, exerts and gains influences to and from Mediterranean, Balkan, Middle Eastern, Central Asian and Eastern European cuisines.
What does Turkey import from Greece? ›
Turkey's Import Products from Greece in 2017 can be countred as follows; Mineral fuels, mineral oils and preparations, candles, Cotton, Articles made of plastic and plastic, Boilers, machinery and equipment, Page 6 Analysing the Trade Between Turkey… MARITIME FACULTY JOURNAL 114 tools and parts, Iron and steel, ...
Which part of Turkey is like Greece? ›
Bodrum is a district and a port city in Mugla province, in the southwestern Aegean region of Turkey. The city was known in antiquity as Halicarnassus and was famous for the Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Is Turkish language close to Greek? ›
They belong to two different language families. Turkish is a Turkic language. Greek is of the Greek branch of the Indo-European languages. They both have loan words from each other from centuries of interaction, but they are not related.
Which language is older, Greek or Turkish? ›
The earliest written evidence is a Linear B clay tablet found in Messenia that dates to between 1450 and 1350 BC, making Greek the world's oldest recorded living language. Among the Indo-European languages, its date of earliest written attestation is matched only by the now-extinct Anatolian languages.
Is baklava Turkish or Greece? ›
Although the dessert became quite popular through various Greek restaurants, and there is no way to pinpoint where it originated, it is said that the baklava sweet came from modern day Turkey (the Ottoman Empire) and was modernized in today's Greece.
Are kebabs Greek or Turkish? ›
Kebap, is Arabian origin food that integrated into Turkish and Greek cuisine. Iskender Kebab, however Turkish original meal found in Bursa. Durum (Doner kebab, wrap) is also Turkish original. The reason is simple, Turks like their food.
The Greeks of Turkey are referred to in Turkish as Rumlar, meaning "Romans".
What do Turkish eat for breakfast? ›
If we talk about traditional Turkish breakfast, which comes from the Ottoman Empire, it includes tomatoes, butter, bread (simit, lavas, Gozleme, Yufka, cornbread, Bazlama), olives, cheese, and tea (Turkish herbal teas, apple tea, yarrow tea, black tea, sage tea).
What is Turkey's national dish? ›
Kuru fasulye is often served along with cacık and rice or bulgur. It is often considered the national dish of Turkey. An annual kuru fasulye festival is held in Kaymaz, Sivrihisar. Its counterpart in Greek cuisine is called fasolada.
What is the number one Turkish food? ›
1. Baklava. Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, baklava is one of the most iconic Turkish dishes and a must for anyone with a sweet tooth. This layered pastry is filled with nuts and covered in syrup and ground pistachios for an unforgettable Mediterranean dessert.
Is tzatziki Greek or Turkish? ›
Tzatziki is Greek, no other country can claim the most famous Greek food in the world (it's a few centuries older than Greek Mousaka)!!! The Ottoman Empire, ruled over Greece from the 16th century until World War 1.
What is the traditional food of Turks and Caicos? ›
Steamed fish, peas n' rice, and coleslaw. Locally caught snapper will almost always be served as a whole fish. If you get a fillet, it's likely imported!
What is the national dish of Turks and Caicos? ›
One of the most beloved dishes throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands is conch (pronounced konk). Conch is the sea snail that is derived from the queen conch shell that can be found throughout the islands and is even featured on the Turks and Caicos Islands flag.
