TURKISH DELIGHT IN TURKISH CULTURE

Today`s Blog post is about what comes to mind right away when some one hears Turkey: Turkish Delight.. We call it ´Lokum`in Turkish and the meaning is `Throat Relaxener`:)
You probably had it next to delicious Turkish Coffee on your visit to Turkey or maybe a friend of yours brought you this special treat! 

But why is it so special for Turkish Culture and when do we eat it?

Asking for Blessings from Bride`s Parents is a fun ritual and very common among Turks. When a couple decides to get marry, groom and his family visits brides family and brings a large box of Turkish Delight. Turkish delight symbolizes one of the most known Turkish Saying; `Lets eat sweet and then talk sweet`:) In this celebration brides family treats turkish coffee and the turkish delights for a sweet start of this exciting day!
`Bayram` (Candy Holiday) is probably the time of the year that we eat Turkish Delight most! Every Bayram, Turkish delights are serviced inside traditional sugar bowls delicately..
Comparing to other candy and treats; Turkish Delight is softer and it melts with a great taste.
When you press the Turkish Delight with both fingers and if it shapes back exactly how it was, this means `Great,  you are eating a well made delight!`

Welcoming a newborn Baby, a housewarming party or visiting a relative.. People will knock your door carrying your Turkish Delight! These delights can come regular, with Antep nuts or dried eco-fruits in it..
Sometimes it comes surprising way, from a shop owner in Grand Bazaar, kids in your neighbor that knock your door for treats or in Madonna`s Hard Candy song..
You can find all different types of Turkish Delights here; Grand Bazaar Shopping
Traditional Turkish Sugar/Turkish Delight Bowls here; Grand Bazaar Shopping

TURKISH TRADITIONS - BRIDE HAMMAM

Are you ready for the biggest day of your life? 
Maybe there are only weeks left to your wedding or you just started planning.. In either way Bachelorette party is also on the list to be planned! 
Well, the options are mostly going out with the closest girl friends, dance some champagne & more! You can even become the star of the night club..
This might be the most common way, but also it is mostly exhausting only couple of days before the Wedding!


Well, in this blog post we want to introduce you to Traditional Turkish Bachelorette Party, Bride Hammam! This tradition has been the part of Turkish Culture since Ottoman Empire. It is extraordinary, so fun, authentic and a great detox right before the Big Day!

Here is the recipe of a real and fun Turkish Bride Hammam!

Ingredients;

- Closest girl friends

- Turkish Peshtemals for everyone

- Natural Olive Oil Soaps

- Hammam Sacs

- Some Turkish Copper Ewers & Mugs and Hammam Bowls for authentic decor

- Henna

- 3-4 different light Turkish Food

- Traditional Gifts for the guests

What happens on a Bride Hammam Party?

First of all, Bride gets a traditional full body wash and foam massage so that she will have a glowing skin and can relax in the middle of all the wedding rush:)

After the massage everyone enjoys delicious vegeterian Turkish foods, the menu usually have; Sarma, Dolma, Su Böregi and Lentilballs.

Just before the peeling everyone gets tasty Turkish Coffee with Turkish Delight, and the hennas which are prepared beforehand inside copper tray and copper cups are served. Now it is time to dance! You can hire Belly Dancers, watch their show and of course join them!

After the show bride gives the gifts to her friends as a memory of this beautiful day!

Olive Oil Soaps with Authentic Boxes can be great gifts! 

And now you are ready for your Wedding Day, all fresh and happy!

You can find all you need for this party on our website! Here is the list;

Turkish Peshtemals

Turkish Hammam Bowls

Natural Turkish Hammam Soaps

Turkish Copper Ewer

YOUR GUIDE TO BODRUM, TURKEY

Well, today we are leaving this beautiful city, saying we are coming back soon! It was an amazing one week with crystal clear Aegean Sea, great weather, breathtaking landscapes in this cosy city, Bodrum.

We wanted to share some pictures and tips to be a guide for the ones who are planing to visit Bodrum or the ones who love to read about special places like we do!

When you step into this city, all you think is `Okay. When are we moving here!?´ 

Then you might try to keep it cool and go to the nearest beach to enjoy the see through Aegean Sea.

But when it is lunch time and you start feeling the fresh wind on your hair while watching the Greek island Kos from the cosy restaurant,

  you find yourself asking the local people for the real estate agencies at town to research about the prices of Bodrum`s cosy white houses!

I mean, look at this! 

One another special thing about Bodrum is it is not all White&Blue like you expect from Mediterranean cities. Stone houses are mostly white, yes, but this city is full of colors! Purple, red, pink, yellow and purple again!

Halikarnassos (Ancient name of Bodrum) is also an important Ancient city. One of the World´s 7 Wonders "Mausaleon" has built in Halikarnassos, and now you can visit the outdoor museum at Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archeology. You can also see the Bust of Herodotos ( The father of History) while you are there. The museum is defiantly worth to see!

The town is not so small so it offers many different Restaurants, Pubs and of course ice-cream!

Centrum has many small boutiques with colorful handmade pieces.

If you are visiting the Bodrum directly, without going to Istanbul, do not worry and think that you won´t find traditional Turkish gifts to have with you to home! In Bodrum, you can find everything Evil Eyes, Turkish Mosaic Lamps to Turkish Delight!

But of course if you can´t make it to Turkey, we are always here for you! You can find the Turkish handcrafts from Bodrum and all of Turkey on our website; www.grandbazaarshopping.com

If you have any questions about Turkey, feel free to send us an e-mail, we are happy to answer!

contact@grandbazaarshopping.com

COPPER ART IN TURKEY

It is not clearly known when Anatolian Copper Art began but today, copper is one of the most used materials for serve ware, cookware and home decor in Turkey!
What makes Turkish Copper ware exclusive is that each of them are made of one-piece, without putting together different copper pieces.
Artisans use only traditional ways and handmade for each detail.
They use a hammer to structure the rough copper piece, after this process they use a method which is called `hitting and striking´ and they work delicately on each motif, which can take weeks and sometimes even months! Here we want to share some pictures of our talented Anatolian Artisan, you can shop their artworks on our website; www.grandbazaarshopping.com

Copper Ewer; http://www.grandbazaarshopping.com/#!product/prd2/4222456471/copper-ewer-pitcher%2C-large

Copper Moscow Mug; http://www.grandbazaarshopping.com/#!product/prd2/3765191281/turkish-copper-cup-set%2C-copper-stoup-ayran-mug

Copper Turkish Coffee Sets; http://www.grandbazaarshopping.com/#!turkish-coffee-sets/c1vnt

Copper Sugar Bow;

http://www.grandbazaarshopping.com/#!copper-sugar-bowls/c1bdn