The most common spices and herbs in Turkey are mint, black pepper, thyme, cumin and hot red pepper powder. Different areas in Turkey use different kinds of herbs and spices, depending on the local cuisine. For example, people in the south-east eat more meat, such as kebab, and like to use hot red pepper in their cuisine.
Common types of spices & herbs
anason anise ararot arrowroot Arnavut biberi cayenne pepper biberiye rosemary çörekotu black cumin seed damla sakızı gum mastic defne bay leaf dereotu dill dolmalık fıstık pine nut fesleğen basil hardal mustard haşhaş opium poppy karabiber blackpepper karanfil clove kekik thyme kimyon cumin kişniş coriander köri curry kuşüzümü currant maydanoz parsley miskotu musk plant nane mint pul biber cayenne pepper rezene fennel roka garden rocket safran saffron sarımsak garlic sumak sumac susam sesame tarçın cinnamon tarhun tarragon tere cress vanilya vanilia zencefil ginger
Aktar
Aktar is a shop selling spices, herbs and perfumes. Also the shop owner or the person selling spices and herbs at the shop. Trade of spices and herbs that were brought from the Eastern countries through Baharat Yolu (Spice Road) carried on intensively in Mısır Çarşısı (Egyptian Market) during the Ottoman period. However, the market has lost its attraction gradually after the fall of the Ottoman Empire and aktar shops spread about all over the city, both traditional and modern way.
Lokman Hekim
Of all the healers throughout history, Lokman Hekim, or Lokman the doctor or healer, is probably the most famous aktar. In traditional folklore Lokman Hekim finds the potion for immortality but eventually loses it. There are many different versions of this tale. For example, in one tale he drops it while passing over a bridge. Another tale tells that he discovers it and writes the potion on a piece of paper, but then it rains and the note is effaced. The most famous tale is that God hears about Lokman and his discovery and sends the angel Gabriel to earth to destroy the potion. All these tales made Lokman Hekim the master of aktars and today many shops and sellers are named, Lokman, Lokman Hekim and so on.
