Spice 101! Do you know the secret spice that makes Turkish meatballs (kofte) so great? Cumin (Kimyon)! Other spices commonly used at Harem Istanbul (and in traditional Turkish cooking) include red pepper flakes (pul biber), dry oregano (kekik), dry mint (nane), and sumak which comes from a dried wild berry and has a slightly sour taste used to flavor onions and salad dressing. Read more about The 10 Most Popular Spices in Turkish Cuisine 

In addition to the amazing spices fresh vegetables and salad dishes are flavored with four main staples: fresh lemon juice, original oil from Turkey, sauce made from pomegranate, and grape vinegar.