Social and cultural aspects of traditional drinks: A review on traditional Turkish drinks

Abstract

Traditional drinks can be quite valuable in terms of their health benefits, their contribution to food security, the benefits they bring to rural tourism, their place in social and religious life, and their role in the preservation and passing on of cultural heritage. The social and cultural richness of traditional drinks, as well as their diverse uses, can be clearly understood in the example of Turkey. The geographical position of Turkey as a bridge between Europe and Asia, the Turkish presence over a wide geographical area throughout history, the nomadic lifestyle of the Turks, the historical presence of prominent civilizations such as the Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans on Turkish lands, and the contributions of various cuisines, such as those of the Balkans, Central Asia, the Middle East, the Aegean, the Mediterranean, the Jews and Armenia, have rendered Turkey rather noteworthy country in terms of the importance and richness of its traditional drinks. This study investigates the historical development of traditional Turkish drinks, which hold an important place in Turkish culture and in Turkish history in many respects, as well as their place and importance in the economic, social and cultural life of the Turks. The findings of the study will serve as guidelines for future researches into the relations between culture and food economics, and intercultural interactions, and for the determination of marketing strategies for traditional drinks.