Around Adana: An Organic Farm in Turkey? Exploring Ekotepe
The area where we live in Turkey is known as the bread basket of Turkey. There is a lot of poverty here, but one thing is for sure, there is lots of food to go around.
Each summer we see field after field filled to the brim with a variety of fruits and vegetables. And while garden fresh goodies come cheaply, the range of what is available is a bit limited, and for the most part you can forget anything organic. Trader Joe’s is a mythical place in a far off land.
So when we heard of an organic farm located just outside of town that offered a great brunch, we knew we had to pay it a visit.
We were greeted with a colorful peacock.
The buffet was a traditional selection of Turkish breakfast items including a variety of cheeses (my favorite thing about Turkish breakfast), fresh and cooked vegetables, and a selection of fruit spreads with fresh baked bread.
In addition to the buffet you had the option to order an omelet to your liking, and partake in the homemade lemonade.
Bread being baked on site is pretty typical in Turkey.
And of course there was Turkish tea. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before or not, but Turkish tea is basically the same black tea that we brew for our sweet tea in the South. And like our sweet tea, it’s served sweet. Only the Turks prefer theirs served hot, and sweetened individually with sugar cubes.
The top pot holds the strongly brewed tea, the bottom pot holds warm water. you pour your tea as strong as you like, then top it off with the water and sweeten to taste.
Our serious breakfast date was present.
But after she filled her belly she lightened up 🙂
She only has eyes for dad.
The countryside around the farm was beautiful, and actually a little reminiscent of South Dakota.
The water from this fountain flowed through a trough that wound it’s way through multiple levels of the eating area and finally emptying into a pool on the lower level.
Our peacock friend came back by to see how brunch turned out.
Then we took a stroll around the farm to see the animals.
And before we left we stopped back in for some Turkish coffee.
I’ve had many people ask me if it’s true that the Turks love babies and will just take them from you. The answer is yes. Yes. Yes. Yes!
It happens so often we no longer think anything of it. And we’re pretty sure there are about a million pictures of Aubrey floating around Turkey by this point because for some reason they always takes selfies with her, or just pictures of her in general.
As the photoshoot came to an end, and our coffee cups emptied, a few rain drops started to fall so we headed to the car to make our way home.
We did learn they also serve lunch, which features braised chicken. That term, “braised,” peaked our interest as it wasn’t shish or kebap. So we’ll be back as soon as we find another free weekend!