Turkish Chestnuts

Chestnuts (kestane) have an ancient history. The sweet chestnut was introduced into Europe from the Sardis (located 70 kilometers from the Turkish city of Izmir). Sardis, Sart in Turkish, was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Lydia, ruled by King Croesus (560 – 546 BC). At the time, chestnut was even referred to as the ‘Sardian Nut.’ Chestnut has been a staple food in the mountainous regions of the Mediterranean for millennia, where it largely replaced grains and cereals. With little or no access to wheat flour, many communities relied on chestnuts and chestnut flour as the main source of carbohydrates. The earliest known record of chestnut cultivation can be found in Theophrastus’ Enquiry into Plants, written in the 3rd century BC. Today, Turkey is the third leading producer of sweet chestnuts in the world.

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Photography by Jason B Graham. Since arriving in Istanbul, I have had the great honor to work with many of Turkey’s most influential brands and most talented artisans. Photographic services include portrait photography for press releases, professional or personal use. I specialize in product and food photography. Additionally, services include styling, editing and retouch.