Turkish simit is a cheap breakfast favorite on the go. Turks love to buy one in the morning on their way to work or school. At about 1.75 TL ($0.30), it is a relatively inexpensive breakfast staple. People usually buy them at simit carts conveniently located in busy areas. They are baked daily at local bakeries long before sunrise. Then delivered fresh and hot to simit carts before 7 a.m.
What is a Turkish simit?
A simit is a round or circular baked bread covered with sesame seeds originating from the Ottoman Empire. It is crunchy on the outside, but soft and chewy inside. The typical ingredients include: flour, sugar, salt, butter, yeast, eggs, sesame, and molasses. However, some other recipes may exclude yeast and sugar for other ingredients. Many cities in Turkey have their own version of a simit. For example in Trabzon, the simit is usually lighter color and smaller.
Turkish breakfast simit carts
Simit carts are made specifically for people selling simits. They are mobile with large durable wheels for all road conditions. For example, pushing a cart through rain or snow is easy. Also, they have a large display with glass sides, so customers can easily see the simits. In addition, the capacity of the cart can hold hundreds of simits.
Nowadays, simit carts sell other items like chocolate and cheese spreads to put on the simit. In addition, other Turkish favorites such as acma and ayran are usually for sale along with bottled water.
Not all simit sellers use carts. Some sell from tables, trays and wood sticks. However, these pose more health related risks since they are exposed. Therefore, people generally buy from covered carts.
Turkish simit & tea: the perfect combination
When people are not in a rush, they usually drink Turkish tea with their simit. People say that the hot tea brings out the flavors and stimulates the palate. Also, for about 4-5 TL, you can enjoy two traditional favorites at once.
To sum up, Turkish simit is a cheap Turkish breakfast favorite on the go. With it taste, price, availability and history, simit will continue to be a favorite among Turkey. Ironically, it is known as, “poor man’s food,” however, everybody eats it including the affluent.
