Food
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A Turkish Breakfast in Gaziantep
My first morning in Turkey starts with a double breakfast— what a befitting way to begin my Turkish journey in Gaziantep! Once I am over with the complimentary one in Hotel Tugcan, my guide informs me about the best breakfast place in Gaziantep city, Orkide Patisserie. I don’t risk keeping it for another day and set off immediately. The southeastern Turkish city of Gaziantep was added to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for Gastronomy in 2015. Armed with a cuisine museum and an array of delectable dishes, it is no wonder that breakfast in Gaziantep is no less than a ritual. Being the Pistachio haven of Turkey most of its…
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Gaziantep Cuisine UNESCO Creative Cities Network for Gastronomy: Culinary scenes at Emine Gogus Culinary Museum
The warm June day in Turkey is sunny. I walk along the shadows of the old buildings in a narrow alley right in the heart of old Gaziantep. Sehzat guides me to the courtyard of an old building. A huge flag of Turkey hanging vertically from the first floor to the ground floor flutters in the breeze. I am in Emine Gogus Culinary Museum— the first museum of Turkey which is dedicated to Gaziantep cuisine, cookery and eating etiquette! Ali Ihsaan Gogus, an esteemed journalist and politician of Turkey, who later went on to become the first Minister of Tourism of Turkey was born in 1923 in this building. The…
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Turkish baklava : A sweet affair in Gaziantep
Emerald green nuggets drip from the edges. My nose inflates — it has smelled a feast. On my first bite, there is a faint crunch in my mouth. As I chew, the flakiness gives way to a mellow sweetness, and then comes the burst of pistachios. The turkish baklava disintegrates in my mouth. Reduced to bits and pieces, they roll around on my tongue. When it is finished, I open my eyes, eager for the next baklava waiting for me on the plate. I am in Gaziantep — a city on the silk road in south-eastern Turkey which has been added to the list of UNESCO Creative Cities Network for…
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What to eat in Goa : Our affair with Goan Cuisine
Goa is the smallest state of India. Standing on the shore of the Arabian Sea in Western India, Goa was a Portuguese colony for as long as 450 years. In 1961 it was annexed by India. The long rule of the Portuguese has left a tremendous mark on the socioeconomic fabric of Goa, one of them being the unique Goan cuisine. When, after living so close to Goa for one and half years, finally the chance to visit this coastal state presented itself, I found myself combing the internet to delve deep into Goan food. Having local food is always one of the experiences that we prioritize. When we finally…
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Tasse de Thé – Renaissance of Tea Culture in Mumbai, India
“Tea connoisseur”. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear these two words? “It’s a British thing,” my mind talks back to me. It took me 26 years and a briefing from the son of a true tea connoisseur, to get out of the illusion. Rohak Sheth, son of Jiten Sheth, the founder of Tasse de Thé , explained to me that it was the French who started the practice of having tea as a meal. Under the regime of Queen Victoria, it was introduced in Great Britain. The men behind the brand Tasse de Thé Mr. Jiten Sheth, the owner of Tasse de Thé…
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Food in Hyderabad, The Old City: A Foodie’s Delight
For a culinary enthusiast, Hyderabad is a treasure trove. Food in Hyderabad is not just for your tongue but for your all five senses. Influenced by the Mughals, Persians and the Telugu culture, Hyderabad evolved with a unique taste of its own. The best part about Hyderabadi food is that it satisfies the stomach without burning the pocket. Here is a quick list of seven ‘must-have’ food when in Hyderabad! Biryani – Of course no-one can imagine leaving Hyderabad without trying the famous Hyderabadi Biryani. The recipe of the yellow tinged long grained rice was passed on to India by the Mughals who ruled over the Indian subcontinent hundreds of…
