Big Borek offers Turkish treats and sweets. Credit: Big Borek
Big Borek is Sri Lanka’s first Turkish food brand that offers you a taste of the wonderful cuisine of Turkey with savory treats and sweets. Big Borek was created by Ahu Emine, who is a native of Turkey and that has lived in Colombo for five years. Ahu has definitely missed Turkish food and began experimenting with her mother’s traditional recipes. After discovering the opening of the Good Market in 2014, Ahu decided to share her homemade Turkish delicacies on the island.
Big Borek’s mission is to offer healthy, all natural, and organic Turkish treats and sweets. Their current line of products includes walnuts, hazelnuts, dried apricots, hummus, muamara, havuz meze, and Turkish delight. All products are made from scratch including ingredients, such as yogurt, that are used in her popular havuz meze. Everything is also organic like her dried apricots which are sulfur free and dried naturally to retain their succulent taste. Big Borek imports some of their products from Turkey and also works with local farmers.
In a talk with Ahu, she describes some of her specialties that you may not be as so familiar:
Muamara is a traditional Turkish meze or appetizer. Credit: Big Borek
MUAMARA
A dip made from red peppers, ground walnuts, breadcrumbs, olive oil, and other spices. It has a spicy and sweet taste. You can use it as a vegetable dip, salad dressing, and as a spread for a pita, wrap, or sandwich. You can also use it to cook a traditional Turkish meal such as muamara burgers with caramelized onions, muamara crusted chicken, and muamara devilled eggs.
HAVUÇLU MEZE
A dip made from carrots, yogurt, olive oil, and spices. Like muamara, you can eat it with vegetables and various breads and also get creative by using it as a side dish for grilled meat and fish.
TURKISH DELIGHT
A traditional confectionary treat originating from the Ottoman Empire. It is available in the traditional flavors of rose, mint, and pistachio. You can have Turkish delight accompany your coffee or tea, or anytime you need to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Turkish Delight is a confectionery treat dating from the Ottoman Empire. Credit: Big Borek
You can find Big Borek products in Colombo at the Good Market Shop and select Keells Supermarkets (Crescat and Union Place). Big Borek has also expanded to the recently opened Good Market in Galle as well as Keells stores in Galle and Thalawatugoda. For more information, find Big Borek on Facebook or call 077 310 6398. Check out Big Borek for a taste of Turkey in Sri Lanka!
“Afiyet Olsun!”
(Turkish for Bon Appetite!)