A historical and nutrition-dietetic analysis of food consumption habits in ottoman culinary culture in the light of travel books

Abstract

This review uses an interdisciplinary perspective to examine the eating habits of the Ottomans through the information conveyed in the works of western travelers who came to the Ottoman territory. Travel books, which are the primary sources for Ottoman history, were used to analyze the food consumption habits in Ottoman culinary culture. The impressions of western travelers were taken directly and displayed in quotation marks. Then, within the knowledge of the literature, the Ottoman food culture was interpreted in the context of nutrition and dietetics. During the period of the Ottoman Empire we can see that honey was used as a sweetener in desserts, that barley and rye were preferred in bread making, and half-baked bread, which was traditionally consumed in the Ottoman food culture, was enjoyed. According to the travels books, vegetables, grains, meat, dairy products, and olive oil were among the most consumed foods. The Ottoman Empire incorporated different factors and brought together a unique new culture. As seen, The Ottoman cuisine, which incorporated food from different cultures, owes its wealth to the innovations it developed within its social dynamics. According to travel books, healthy food and nutrition were at the forefront in the Ottoman period.

Keywords:
Ottoman; culinary; culture; food; nutrition