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Dishes you should try in İspir: Cağ Kebabı (horizontal spit-roasted lamb), Ayran Aşı (yoghurt and wheat soup) and Lor Tatlısı (cheese dessert). This guide also covers the local products to buy and what İspir is famous for.

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Famous Dishes of İspir

  • Cağ Kebabı (horizontal spit-roasted lamb)

    Cağ kebabı is prepared by roasting lamb on a horizontal spit over a wood fire. In İspir, it has a special flavour from the sheep raised on the district's plateaus.

  • Ayran Aşı (yoghurt and wheat soup)

    Traditional soup made with yoghurt, cracked wheat and mint, a nourishing dish that never goes missing from tables during İspir's cold winter days.

  • Lor Tatlısı (cheese dessert)

    Traditional dessert made with lor cheese and sugar, one of the distinctive flavours of İspir cuisine. It is served fried in butter.

Dishes from Erzurum Cuisine

What to eat in Erzurum →

These dishes are known throughout Erzurum province; see the provincial food guide for details.

  • Oltu Cağ Kebabı (horizontal spit-roasted lamb)

    A kebab with a registered geographical indication, cooked on a horizontal skewer over a wood fire and served on the cağ skewer.

  • Erzurum Kadayıf Dolması (walnut-filled kadayıf)

    Shredded kadayıf filled with walnuts and soaked in syrup; it has a registered geographical indication.

  • Erzurum Su Böreği (boiled-pastry börek)

    A registered börek made with layers of boiled yufka and cheese.

  • Ayran Aşı Çorbası (yoghurt and wheat soup)

    A registered soup made with yoghurt, wheat and herbs.

  • Erzurum Hurma Tatlısı (syrupy dough dessert)

    A syrupy dough dessert with a registered geographical indication.

  • Hasıta

    A registered traditional dessert made with flour, butter and sugar.

What to Buy in İspir: Local Products

  • İspir Kaymağı (İspir kaymak) İspir Kaymağı was registered as a protected designation of origin on 22 May 2019 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 431). Product group: dairy products other than cheeses and butter. Registered by: İspir Tradesmen and Craftsmen's Chamber.
  • İspir Kuru Fasulyesi (İspir dried beans) İspir Kuru Fasulyesi was registered as a protected designation of origin on 31 January 2011 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 141). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruit and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: İspir Tradesmen and Craftsmen's Chamber.

What İspir Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions

  • Ancient Sper Heritage

    İspir has been the centre of the ancient Sper region, known since the 3rd millennium BC. It was an important settlement centre in the periods of Hayasa-Azzi, Urartu, the Iberian Kingdom and Greater Armenia.

  • Kaçkar Mountains Plateau Culture

    For centuries the people of İspir have migrated to the high plateaus of the Kaçkar Mountains to raise livestock. This plateau tradition is a longstanding custom that deeply shapes the social life and cuisine of the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I eat in İspir?

İspir is known for 3 local dishes, above all Cağ Kebabı (horizontal spit-roasted lamb), Ayran Aşı (yoghurt and wheat soup) and Lor Tatlısı (cheese dessert). Cağ kebabı is prepared by roasting lamb on a horizontal spit over a wood fire. In İspir, it has a special flavour from the sheep raised on the district's plateaus.

What is İspir famous for?

İspir is known for Cağ Kebabı (horizontal spit-roasted lamb), İspir Kaymağı (İspir kaymak) and Ancient Sper Heritage. Its best-known sights include Çoruh Valley and İspir Castle.

What to buy in İspir?

Local products and souvenirs to buy in İspir include İspir Kaymağı (İspir kaymak) and İspir Kuru Fasulyesi (İspir dried beans).

İspir Travel Guide

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