Natural Shops
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According to Evliya Çelebi's Seyahatname there were more than two thousand natural shops, called aktar, in Istanbul in the 17th century, and they sold three thousand different kinds of natural products, herbs and spices such as ginger, clove, pepper and cinnamon.
The jury of the daily newspaper "Hürriyet", composed of specialists on herbs, doctors and gourmets, have chosen the top 10 Natural Shops.
Bünsa
Bünsa is located at Balık Pazarı, Beyoğlu and has been in service for more than
forty years. It is famous for its herbal teas, toffee-like mixtures and herbal
tablets imported from the Far East. Swedish syrup, mixtures for coughing, stones,
cancer and losing weight are among the favorites. It is open everyday form 08:30
to 20:00 and on Sunday from 10:30 to 18:30.
Kırkambar
It was founded in Beşiktaş Köyiç in 1999. Vegetarian food and products of ecological
agriculture are on sale at Kırkambar. Natural cosmetics, pickles, canned food
and various kinds of herbal tea are also among the products. Honey for strengthening
the lungs, nettle seeds and a mixture of pollen and royal jelly are always popular.
It is open everyday except Sunday between 08:30 - 20:00.
Arifoğlu Baharat
It is one of the oldest spice stores in Mısır Çarşısı (Egyptian-Spice Bazaar).
The herbs are specially packaged. Besides the classical spices such as pepper,
paprika, mint and thyme, there are uncountable spices and herbs from sesame
to coriander, from vanillin to white pepper, and from pomegranate vinegar to
royal jelly. Arifoğlu has two shops in the Bazaar and both of them are open
everyday, except Sunday, from 08:00 to 19:00.
Ambar
Ambar is located on Kallavi Sokak in Beyoğlu, and Gülten Kılıçşen took over
the shop from her family. Besides natural dried fruits, vegetables, cereals,
beans and peas, the store offers every kind of herbal tea. The favorite product
is the special tea for cellulite treatment. It is a mixture of nettle leaves,
rezene (fennel), horse chestnut leaves and juniper (ardıç) seeds. They say that
if you use soap with moss and special massage oil, you will get rid of your
cellulite problem.
Ayfer Kaur
About 100 years ago, Cevat Bey, known as a healer among his friends, opened
a store at Mısır Çarşısı selling herbs and spices. He named the store after
his daughter, and taught the fine points of his job to her. Now Ayfer Kaur's
sons run the shop and they sell spices, food coloring and herbs. Spice is their
top seller. They say that whenever newspapers write about a specific kind of
herb or spice, the sale of that product immediately increases.
Ucuzcular
Ucuzcular is a company of 160 years, and Dilaver Kadıoğlu, is pharmacist and
phytotherapist, runs it. In addition to herbs, spices, soaps and aromatic body
oils are among the products they sell. Ucuzcular also provides the purest sesame
seed oil and almond oil. Sets to cure hair problems are the most favorite products.
The most popular herb these days is melisa leaf, used as a tranquilizer. It
is open every day, except Sunday, from 08:00 to 19:00.
Doğaya Dönüş
Doğaya Dönüş was opened in Teşvikiye two years ago and they mostly sell spices,
herbal teas and aromatic oils. The village eggs and homemade jams from the Doğaya
Dönüş farm in Silivri are also among the favorite products. Vegetables such
as tomatoes and green peppers ecologically raised at the same farm are used
in the food served at its café. They serve food with olive oil for lunch. It
is open every day, except Sunday, from 08:30 to 19:00.
Malatya Pazarı
Malatya Pazarı is a 140-year-old establishment. As can be understood from the
name, the owners are from Malatya. They have been in service at Mısır Çarşısı
with three shops for 60 years. Spices, dried fruits and medicinal herbs are
among their products. The most favorite medicinal herb is Iranian saffron. Saffron
thins the blood, relaxes the brain and aids in digestion. It is open everyday,
except Sunday, between 08:00 and 19:00
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