Page 24 - SEVEN CHURCHES

TURKISH LEATHER IS THE PRIDE OF TURKEY tuRkIshjeweLLery
The quality of the raw leather materials and the excellency in leather
processing has helped move Turkish leather forward and become SILVER AND GOLD The historical silk road started
an elite player in the leather industry in the world. In addition, by in China and extended as far as Genoa passing
applying the European standards to and administrating eco- through central Asia, İran, Anatolia and Europa.
friendly advanced methods in the production, the 13 Even though the name “silk road” derives the
industrial leather zones in Turkey have expanded popularity of Chinese silk among tradesman, the
the leather production tremendously over the material was not the only important export. The
years with estimated 500 billions of dollars in Silk Road trade included also fruits, vegetables, CAPPADOCCIA
global trade by 2023. More than 60% of livestock grain, leather, tools, Since Cappadocia was
European leather goods, including religious objects, culture, an important safe resting
brands such as Prada, Gucci,
place for the travellers
tuRkIshdeLight Valentino, H&M, Sara and many philosophy, science, and the tradesman, the
others are manufactured in artworks, precious community had the
One of the oldest sweets in Turkey. It is estimated that stones, silver oportunity to learn New
the world, going back almost every 1 in 5 of all visitors and gold. developments in art,
500 years, the Turkish Delight to Turkey leaves Turkey culture, science,
recipe has remained almost happily with at least a JEWELLERY handicraft.
unchanged since the day of Turkish leather jacket. Exchange of
its inception. As the story goes, Gemstones and
jewellery caused
the Sultan, trying to cope with Istanbul some Cappadocian
all his mistresses, summoned his people to produce
confectionary chefs and demanded jewellery.
the production of a unique dessert. Levent
It was through this summon that
the Turkish Delight was born.
leatheRfactory nevsehIR
The fully apprenticed TURKISH STONE Since
confectioner, Bekir Efendi, arrived The legacy of Turkish Leather goes way back Cappadocia was an important
in Istanbul from a small town in to the 12th century. Turkish Leather is a face safe resting place for the
eastern Anatolia in 1777, during people easily recognize on the stage of travellers and the tradesman, the
the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid world’s leather industry. Goreme Shop community had the opportunity
I. Another theory states that it Museum kaYseRI to learn new developments in art,
was actually Bekir Efendi who culture, science, handicraft. Exchange
invented Turkish Delight and went of Gemstones and jewellery caused some
on to open a little shop in the city Cappadoccia Cappadocian people to produce jewellery. Zultanite is a precious gemstone
center. Quickly winning fame and Pasabag which is 10.000 times rarer than Diamond and is only found in one place in the
fortune amongst a people with Valley world at a height of 3000 feet in Anatolian Mountains. There are also other stones
quite the sweet tooth, Turkish such as Turquoise which is also known as “Turkish Stone”.
Delight became a fashionable
gift, wrapped in special, lace
handkerchiefs. As the dessert rose
to become an object used in the tuRkIsh
act of courting, it was no surprise TURKISH OLIVE OIL Anatolia, the
that Bekir Efendi was appointed carpet crossroads of civilisations, has been home
chief confectioner to the Ottoman to the olive tree for 6000 years. The olive
Court. In the 19th century, Lokum Turkey is one of the few has brought peace, health and beauty
made its way to the West via a countries, where people still to the region. It is the fascinating secret
British traveler who took quite the traditionally produce handmade of the longevity of the Mediterranean
liking to the confection and brought carpets. A Turkish carpet is peoples and bears delicious traditional
cases of what he called ‘Turkish made with the same traditional produce that is shared by different
Delight’ to Britain. designs, original materials and civilisations. Archaeological remains
BEKIR EFENDI ancient methods nomads used discovered at Urla, the site of the ancient
The fully apprenticed centuries ago. Wool carpets are city of Klazomenai in the Aegean region,
confectioner, Bekir Efendi, made of hand-spun wool from the testify to olive oil extraction as far
arrived in Istanbul from original Turkish breed of sheep. The back as the 6th cen- tury BC and
a small town in eastern cotton is grown in Cappadocia and the recent discoveries have provided
Anatolia in 1777, during silk is local, produced in the western part of more evi- dence of early olive
the reign of Sultan DELIGHT HISTORY the country. All materials are processed by hand and dyed without the trading and exports in this city.
Abdul Hamid I. Bekir Efendi, whose use of chemicals. That’s why you can feel assured a Turkish carpet will Further proof of the olive’s
watercolor painting by be a long-lasting joy in your home. A kilim, a carpet for your floor, a fine long history in Turkey is the
Maltese artist Amedeo Preziosi silk wall hanging, a modern design or a tribal rug; whatever you chose, 1300-year-old tree growing
hangs in the Louvre, became Hacı you will be satisfied with the quality of your Turkish carpet. in Mut or the olive oil stores
Bekir after going on a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina and received a found in Izmir. The olive is
medal of honor from Mahmud II. After his death at the age of 90, his mentioned in The Iliad, when
son Mehmet Muhiddin took over the shop and his father’s title, going Zeus extols the delights of a
on to win medals for its participation in international competitions. breakfast of mouthwatering types of
When the company was taken over by Ali Muhiddin it continued TURKISH POTTERY Ceramic is the oldest tradition olives savoured at thyme-scent- ed
enjoying a golden era, increasing in size to 10 shops that included in Cappadocia and it has a long story here. Gargara (Kücükkuyu), where the blue
two branches in Egypt. After Ali Muhiddin’s death in 1974, the family’s Ceramic was started by ancient Hitit People of the Aegean meets the green
fifth generation continue to run the company Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir. 2000 BC that means it has approximately of Mount Ida.
Turkish Delight is made from a sugar syrup and starch milk mixture that 4000 years history. In each family at least
is cooked for five to six hours, at which point the flavor is added. The one person can make pottery in this region.
mixture is then poured into large wooden trays to be set and about five There is no special school or course for
hours later they are rolled, cut and dusted with icing. Lokum has more than this. If the father of the house know this art,
24 different flavors, including rose, mastic, plain, mint and coffee, as well as he teaches his son and it continues. One IZMIR
fillings such as walnuts, pistachio and hazelnut. In the city of Afyon, a special generation to another. The pottery is very
kind of Lokum is made with a layer of kaymak (clotted cream from water buffalo famous in Cappadocia region because in this
milk) in between the sweet layers and covered in coconut shavings. region there is both red and White clay exists.
There are seven main process to make it ready.

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