With 8 million cherry trees, Turkey is the largest producer of cherries in the world. Indigenous to northeastern Anatolia and the South Caucasus region between the coasts of the Black Sea and Caspian Sea, cherries have been cultivated since the time of the Pontic Greeks. There are red, yellow-pink, scarlet and deep red varieties of cherries available. The most common varieties in Turkey are the Karabodur (Black Dwarf), Dalbastı (Pressing on the Bough) and Napolyon (A variety of the Bing cherry).
In Turkey, cherries are consumed fresh, cooked and preserved. Sour cherry preserves are a common breakfast accompaniment. Cherries are primarily cultivated in Turkey’s Black Sea and Marmara regions. The Black Sea city of Giresun is believed to be the home to the world’s oldest cherry orchards.
Turkish Cuisine
Produce
Fruit
Cherries | Kiraz