Do you happen to agree with the saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day? If so, you’re going to love that Turkish people are also one of those that take this saying by heart. Even if you don’t agree with the saying but simply want to find out more about Turkish breakfast and cuisine, you came to the right place.
The fact that a typical Turkish breakfast consists of a wide range of different foods and drinks shows how much these people love to eat and how crafty and creative they are when it comes to preparing different meals and dishes.
If you’re wondering what precisely a typical Turkish breakfast consists of and how these foods are made, we provide you with all the info! Once you see all the delicious Turkish treats we have in store for you, you’ll crave and prepare them first thing in the morning!
What Are the Basic Elements of a Typical Turkish Breakfast?
To help you get a realistic picture of what Turkish people have on their tables for breakfast, we’ll list all of the essential and common foods and drinks one by one. That way, you’ll be able to imagine how filling and delicious these meals truly are. Take a look at the list below to find out what the basic elements of a Turkish breakfast are:
1. Coffee and Tea
Although Turkish coffee is pretty much a staple and there are many people who enjoy drinking it in the morning, the Turks have a bit of a different practice during breakfast. Tea is a very important part of Turkish culture, and, as such, it is typically consumed during breakfast time.
This, of course, doesn’t apply to every single person out there, but most Turkish people drink tea in the morning to go along with their breakfast, and not coffee. Turkish coffee time is usually reserved for the afternoons. The tea that is most commonly found in the typical Turkish breakfast is black tea.
2. Bread
The next item on our list has to be bread. Simit is the most common type of bread a Turkish breakfast would consist of. This type of bread is excellent for a variety of spreads and toppings, which is partly the reason why it’s such a popular breakfast choice.
Simit is somewhat similar to an American bagel. It is usually first torn up or cut up into smaller (bite) size pieces, and then topped with different ingredients. Another reason why this bread is so popular is that it is a great choice to have on the go. If you’re in a rush and you need to take your breakfast with you, topping your simit with your favorite spreads and bringing it with you is a piece of cake.
3. Spreads
Since we already mentioned topping the simit bread with certain spreads, it’s time to clarify what kind of spreads would one find during a Turkish breakfast. There are both sweet and savory options to satisfy everyone’s needs and make the whole family happy.
Firstly, we have the obvious choices, which include a variety of fruit preserves and jams. The most popular and traditional ones are the apricot and cherry jams, but you can expect to find various other flavors as well. Additionally, black olive, molasses, and tahini are also some of the popular spreads, as well as hazelnut and Nutella spreads.
4. Börek
One of the foods that Turkey is best known for has to be börek. This is a type of Turkish pie/pastry filled with either sweet or savory fillings, and it is typically eaten for breakfast. Although a number of countries have their own version of this pastry, it ultimately belongs to Turkey.
This delicious dish can be filled with a variety of fillings, but some of the most popular ones include cheese, meat, potatoes, leafy greens, eggplant, and mushrooms. If you’re more into sweet pastries, you can have a different approach and, instead of meat or cheese, use apples or jam as your börek filling.
5. Cheese
If you are a cheese lover, you’re going to be thrilled with the next item on our list. No Turkish breakfast can begin without a plate of delicious cheese on the side. There is a wide range of Turkish cheeses to choose from, so you can expect to get a mix of cheeses made from goat’s, cow’s, and sheep’s milk.
Feta cheese is also very popular during Turkish breakfasts, and this type of cheese goes well with a number of foods, both sweet and savory. Cottage cheese, kasseri, and beyaz penir are some of the cheeses you can expect to find on the table for a Turkish breakfast.
6. Kaymak
When it comes to foods that are closely related to Turkey, the kaymak is one of the best-known and most popular out there. Kaymak is a creamy food made from cow’s, goat’s, or sheep’s milk, and it is somewhat similar to clotted cream. It’s commonly consumed during Turkish breakfasts, either as a side dish eaten with a spoon or as a spread on top of your simit.
There is another popular alternative for these breakfasts, and it is called Bal Kaymak. This is a sweet spread or a sweet dip served with bread. It’s a mix of kaymak and honey, and it is commonly served as a dessert and topped with crushed walnuts.
7. Eggs (Kaygana)
Most people are used to eating eggs for breakfast—this is a common practice almost everywhere in the world. However, the Turkish version of this breakfast dish is a bit different. The way you go about preparing kaygana is simple.
All you need to do is mix eggs, salt, flour, and milk, and fry the mixture in butter. You will end up with something between a pancake and an omelet. This is a very tasty and delicious meal that is usually paired with veggies like pepper and tomatoes, feta cheese, mushrooms, or sometimes even honey. Kaygana is typically served warm, with bread and a drink of choice.