Baklava Culture in Gaziantep, Turkey

SOURCE www.npr.org
Gaziantep, Turkey is famous for its baklava, a sweet pastry made of phyllo dough, nuts, and syrup. The city's baklava industry is a major tourist attraction and a public obsession. The tradition of baklava-making has been passed down through generations, with local ingredients and techniques shaping the unique Gaziantep baklava. The city's baklava culture is under threat from modernization and climate change, affecting the quality of key ingredients like pistachios and ghee.

Key Points

  • Gaziantep is synonymous with baklava, a sweet pastry made of phyllo dough, nuts, and syrup
  • Local baklava makers have passed down the tradition through generations, shaping the unique Gaziantep baklava
  • Baklava culture in Gaziantep faces challenges from modernization and climate change impacting ingredient quality

Pros

  • Rich cultural history and tradition surrounding baklava in Gaziantep
  • Local ingredients and techniques contribute to the unique flavor of Gaziantep baklava
  • Baklava plays a significant ceremonial and cultural role in Gaziantep

Cons

  • Threats to baklava culture from modernization and climate change affecting ingredient quality
  • Concerns over maintaining the traditional method of baklava-making in the face of mass production