Anatolia was the host of many civilisations such as Lycians and Hittites and lastly has been the host of Turks, who immigrated from Central Asia. The culture of nomadic Turks combined with the settled culture of Romans and blended with Egypt, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Balcans and the Aegean to make up today's Turkish culture. Naturally this multi cultured framework shapes life and art in Turkey.

While investigating Turkish cuisine, bearing multi culturedness and regional differences in mind would be of great help in understanding.

Eating plays an important role in Turkish peoples' lives. Especially dinner is a social occasion where all family members enjoy being together and have a chat. The oldest member starts the meal, others are to follow and so show their respect. Everybody must be considerate and respectful.

If the meal is served on a single plate instead of individual plates, members are supposed to eat just what they have in front of them. There are irreplacable favourites in the Turkish cuisine, such as:

Eggplant:
With nearly fourty different varieties of cooking, it is also admired by the foreigners. Its nicotin content supplies a spicy taste.

Yoghurt:
Yoghurt is eaten in almost every meal. Added into dishes during or after cooking, it is used lavishly. With the addition of water it is turned into ayran or eaten plain. In cases of toxication, it is advised to eat yoghurt known to possess anti toxic properties.

Pickled Vegetables:
Almost all vegetables, and even anchovies may be pickled. During winter when fresh vegetables are not abundant, pickled ones are used as a substitute for salad. They are necessarily eaten with dried beans and pilaf.

White Cheese:
Known worldwide as fetta cheese, the name given by the Greeks, white cheese is produced all around Turkey with regional differences resulting from salt-fat content, fermentation period, taste and texture. Any breakfast can not be considered without it and it is used in boreks and mezes.

Olives:
Both the green and a little more matured black types are eaten amply at breakfast served with a mixture of olive oil, oregano and red pepper into which toasted breads are dipped.

Onion:
The white, red, fresh or dried types are consumed lavishly. It is used in nearly all hot or cold dishes. A typical Turkish breakfast consists of white cheese, olives, jams, butter, eggs, sucuk (spicy charcuterie), bread and tea.

There is a tradition to prepare summer's ample variety of fresh produce for winter. Methods for winter preperation are; drying fruits, making jam and compotes, pickling vegetables, cooking pekmez from grape juice, making tarhana, yufka and tomato paste.

Dishes are generally cooked in liquid thereby eliminating the necessity to use sauces. Meat, grains and vegetables are cooked in the same pot, enhancing the flavour and taste of the dish, lid of the pot closed.

Dolmas-stuffed vegetables have a great part in Turkish cookery. Vine leaves, peppers, eggplants, mackerel and mussel may be stuffed.

Two kinds of stuffing are with minced meat or with rice, which constitutes a surprising example by combining currants, pinenuts, sugar, herbs and spices. Turkish cuisine is colorful and multi cultural.