Known as the most common street food of Turkey; Simit; the Turkish Bagel is definitely one of the best matches with a thin belly glass of Turkish Tea. This favourite crispy bread ring snack people from any time of the day has been in the life of Turkish people even different cities have their own unique style of cooking it. Well strewn with sesame seeds; as soon as it is out of the bakery; you will hear the vendor shouting “Sicak Simit” meaning “Hot Simit” to announce that it is just out of the bakery and fresh.
Being among the most photographed street photos in Istanbul; for first-time travellers; simit vendors are eye-catching especially when you see them carrying that skyscraper tray on their heads. Seeing the tray in the distance and amazed at how he can carry it without holding it; some might also think that it is another Turkish sweet dessert like Baklava -but it is not. Although Turks love confectionery, probably they eat less than western countries do and most of the street food and snacks are actually savoury.
What is it made of?
- Dough made of flour Water
- Milk
- Sugar
- Salt
- Yeast
Once the dough rises; it is dipped into a mixture of cold water with grape molasses, shaped into rings and then mixed in a sesame tray by rolling to give the ring shape by hand.
