THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
Related Articles
Pistachios, known as the “green gold” in the Southeastern Anatolia Region, are experiencing harvest excitement. While producers are satisfied with the yield this year, the kilo of pistachio is sold at 110 TL in the field.
Pistachios, which are among the important flavours of Gaziantep cuisine, which UNESCO included in the “Creative Cities Network” in gastronomy, have started to be harvested. Farmers who come to the field in the early hours of the morning turn the pistachios they collect into grains with the help of a sieve. Some of the product called ‘Ben’ is sold in this form, while a significant portion is roasted in ovens and separated from the upper shell. The kilo of pistachio known as “green gold” is sold at 110 TL in the field.
“WHEN WE THINK OF PISTACHIO, WE THINK OF EFFORT AND LABOUR”
Gaziantep Director of Agriculture and Forestry Mehmet Karayılan said that the production of pistachios is arduous. Karayılan said, “When we talk about pistachios, toil, sweat and labour come to mind. Along with this, love and fertile lands come to mind. It is used in the market, in the industrial sector, in many areas such as chocolate and ice cream, both as dried, red ‘mole’ and green grizzly.”
“YIELD 50 PER CENT BETTER THAN LAST YEAR”
Stating that the aroma of pistachio is better than the ones produced in other places in the world, Karayılan added, “The aroma and colour of pistachio is very beautiful and it is unique in the world with its taste. That’s why pistachio and Antep baklava made with it are famous. In the studies carried out, we are over 50 per cent higher than last year in terms of yield. We are below the yield of the previous year. Therefore, we have an average yield this year.”
