Pickles are such a common part of the Turkish cuisine that they can be dated back to the Ottoman times!! So, it shouldn’t be a surprise that they pickle many different types of vegetables and fruits. Above and beyond the usual veggies that one is used to. It also should not be a surprise then that the juice that you get from pickling these goodies is also sold, bought and drunk by people. Yes, pickle juice is a thing!!
It’s a drink that is drunk not with a meal, but more for its health benefits. And there are many including the fact that it helps boost your immune system, it supports weight loss, it helps control your blood sugar levels and it even helps with a headache.
Where can you try it in Istanbul?
– Özcan Tursu in Kadikoy (Asian side of Istanbul) is a famous pickle shop that has been trading since 1935!! They are famous for offering numerous pickled goodies including this infamous juice.
– Pickle juice stalls right next to the Galata Bridge. You’ll find numerous stalls selling pickle juice – you can’t miss them! Very vibrant as you can see.
How was it?
It’s an acquired taste, but if you’ve drunk any form of vinegar like apple cider or something similar, this is basically that in taste. I downed a cup of this with ease as I didn’t mind that extremely bitter/tangy taste (warning: it’s also very salty!). I actually liked it lol! The green plum was the most interesting pickled item found in the pickle juice. So, if you’re used to the taste, it’s nothing new, but it’s definitely interesting to see it as such a common/normal drink there.
Another unique drink that is famous in Istanbul is turnip juice. To be honest it tasted the same to me just without the pickled veg and fruit inside.
Pickle juice in Turkish is Tursu Suyu and turnip juice is Salgam Suyu.
Have you tried it? Would you?
