Discovering the Culinary Culture of the Aegean Region

Aegean region is known for its unique cuisine that is based on Mediterranean diet. Olive oil as the prominent cooking oil, use of various wild herbs, greens and vegetables makes up the basis of  region’s healthy cuisine. Throughout the trip, group tasted the wonderful dishes of the region, visited Turkey’s most famous open bazaars, and learned about the history of the region with the guidance of a local, archeologist and food engineer Asst. Prof. Ahmet Uhri.

Aegean region, has blessed this region with fertile soil and mild climate due to its location that allows for rich agricultural products. Aegean region is famous for its open markets. During this trip we visited two of them; Ödemiş bazaar and Sığacık bazaar. The colorful stalls filled with local and season’s fruits and vegetables were a sight for the eyes. The participants also had a chance to taste some of the local dishes that has been famed all over the country.

In the historical aspects, the participants visited Birgi, also known as museum city, the infamous mosque Ulu Camii and the famous mansion that belonged to Çakır Ağa. They also visited some of the lesser known antique cities, Metropolis, that is the major agricultural city of the region, where Asst. Prof. Ahmet Uhri has worked personally with his excavation team and the Antique city of Teos that housed the largest Dionysos Temple.

8 May 2016