Turkish Seeds

Browse and shop our open-pollinated Turkish seeds. While some of these traditional seeds have been stewarded by small communities in specific regions in Turkey, others have been grown in home gardens and homesteads widely across the country, generation upon generation. These rare seeds not only reflect the significance of seed stewardship in Turkey but they also manifest the incredible diversity and richness of kitchen traditions, flavors, texture, and colors of food crops, among other traits, in the country.

In our catalog, we also offer seeds which were bred as part of commercial plant breeding efforts of the 20th century in Turkey. These seeds can be more commonly found at farmers’ markets across the country. While it is still possible to find these seeds in Turkish commercial seed catalogs, many of them are also disappearing from these catalogs due to unacceptable seed laws and regulations that force farmers to become dependent on hybrid and patented seeds. Hence, it is also one of our goals to offer these now commercially rare seeds to pass on their genetically powerful traits that also acknowledge and intersect traditions.

In addition, you will also find here the seeds from our culturally appropriate plant breeding and seed selection efforts.

Please note that some of the rare seeds in this category belong to food crops, such as wheat and melon, that have been stewarded in Turkey for thousands of years and that are native to the region where Turkey is while some others such as peppers and beans are newer to the communities in Turkey. These seeds have been stewarded by communities of color in and native to the Western Hemisphere, and across the globe since time immemorial.

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    Turkish Cucumbers (4)

    Browse and shop for Turkish cucumbers. Some of these traditional cucumber seeds have been stewarded by small communities in specific regions in Turkey. Others have been grown in home gardens and homesteads widely across the country, generation upon generation. These Turkish cucumbers reflect the significance of seed stewardship in Turkey. They also manifest the incredible diversity and richness of kitchen traditions, flavors, texture, and colors of food crops, among other traits, in the country. Cucumber is native to Western Asia, and a crop widely celebrated for so long in Central Asia and Turkey. Turkish cucumbers come in various shapes, textures and flavors. Cucumbers are mainly used in four different ways in Turkish cuisine:
    • Fresh eating
    • Making cacık (a refreshing accompaniment to main meals, made from cucumbers, mint, yogurt and garlic)
    • Pickling
    • Making salad (specifically, çoban salad)
    In our catalog, we may also offer Turkish cucumbers which were bred as part of commercial plant breeding efforts in the 20th century in Turkey. These seeds can be more commonly found at farmers’ markets across the country. It is still possible to find these seeds in Turkish commercial seed catalogs. However, many of them are also disappearing from these catalogs due to unacceptable seed laws and regulations that force farmers to become dependent on hybrid and patented seeds. Hence, it is also one of our goals to offer these now commercially rare Turkish cucumbers to pass on their genetically powerful traits that also acknowledge and intersect traditions. In addition, you may also find here the cucumber seeds from our culturally appropriate plant breeding and seed selection efforts.
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    Turkish Eggplant (12)

    Browse and shop for Turkish eggplant. Some of these traditional eggplant seeds have been stewarded by small communities in specific regions in Turkey. Others have been grown in home gardens and homesteads widely across the country, generation upon generation. These Turkish eggplant reflect the significance of seed stewardship in Turkey. They also manifest the incredible diversity and richness of kitchen traditions, flavors, texture, and colors of food crops, among other traits, in the country. Eggplant is native to India and Southeast Asia; and, it is a crop widely celebrated for so long in Turkey and the Mediterranean region. Turkish eggplant has a very diverse range of colors, shapes, textures and flavors. They are a staple food crop across Turkey. Eggplant are used in various ways in Turkey. You can find some of these ways of use below:
    • Grilling
    • Frying
    • Stews and stuffing recipes
    • Pickling
    • Making kebab and jam
    In our catalog, we also offer Turkish eggplant which were bred as part of commercial plant breeding efforts in the 20th century in Turkey. These seeds can be more commonly found at farmers’ markets across the country. It is still possible to find these seeds in Turkish commercial seed catalogs. However, many of them are also disappearing from these catalogs due to unacceptable seed laws and regulations that force farmers to become dependent on hybrid and patented seeds. Hence, it is also one of our goals to offer these now commercially rare Turkish eggplant to pass on their genetically powerful traits that also acknowledge and intersect traditions. In addition, you will also find here the eggplant seeds from our culturally appropriate plant breeding and seed selection efforts.
  • Okra flower and pods

    Turkish Okra (4)

    Browse and shop for Turkish okra. Some of these traditional okra seeds have been stewarded by small communities in specific regions in Turkey. Others have been grown in home gardens and homesteads widely across the country, generation upon generation. These Turkish okra seeds reflect the significance of seed stewardship in Turkey. They also manifest the incredible diversity and richness of kitchen traditions, flavors, texture, and colors of food crops, among other traits, in the country. Okra is native to Africa, and it is a crop widely celebrated for so long in Turkey. Turkish okra varieties come in various shapes, textures and flavors. They are a staple food crop across Turkey. Okra is mainly used in following ways in Turkish cuisine: Stews (both meat and vegetarian-based) Soup Frying Pickling In Central Turkey, a special variety, Çiçek, is used to make soup. This variety is typically grown for its very small fruits that are harvested when flowers are still attached to them. In our catalog, we may also offer Turkish okra seeds which were bred as part of commercial plant breeding efforts in the 20th century in Turkey. These seeds can be more commonly found at farmers’ markets across the country. It is still possible to find these seeds in Turkish commercial seed catalogs. However, many of them are also disappearing from these catalogs due to unacceptable seed laws and regulations that force farmers to become dependent on hybrid and patented seeds. Hence, it is also one of our goals to offer these now commercially rare Turkish okra seeds to pass on their genetically powerful traits that also acknowledge and intersect traditions. In addition, you may also find here the okra seeds from our culturally appropriate plant breeding and seed selection efforts.
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    Turkish Squash (8)

    Browse and shop for Turkish squash. Some of these traditional squash seeds have been stewarded by small communities in specific regions in Turkey. Others have been grown in home gardens and homesteads widely across the country, generation upon generation. These Turkish squash reflect the significance of seed stewardship in Turkey. They also manifest the incredible diversity and richness of kitchen traditions, flavors, texture, and colors of food crops, among other traits, in the country. Squash was domesticated by Indigenous peoples who live in the region that stretches from Southern North America through Mexico and Central South America. This is also a crop widely celebrated for generations in Turkey. Turkish squash come in various shapes, textures and flavors. Summer squash is mainly used in the following ways in Turkish cuisine: Stuffing Stews Fritters (tr. mücver) Pickling Winter squash is typically used to make dessert in Turkey. In our catalog, we may also offer Turkish squash varieties which were bred as part of commercial plant breeding efforts in the 20th century in Turkey. These seeds can be more commonly found at farmers’ markets across the country. It is still possible to find some of these seeds in Turkish commercial seed catalogs. However, many of them are also disappearing from catalogs due to unacceptable seed laws and regulations that force farmers to become dependent on hybrid and patented seeds. Hence, it is also one of our goals to offer these now commercially rare Turkish squash to pass on their genetically powerful traits that also acknowledge and intersect traditions. In addition, you may also find here the squash seeds from our culturally appropriate plant breeding and seed selection efforts.
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    Turkish Tomatoes (12)

    Browse and shop for Turkish tomatoes. Some of these traditional tomato seeds have been stewarded by small communities in specific regions in Turkey. Others have been grown in home gardens and homesteads widely across the country, generation upon generation. These Turkish tomatoes reflect the significance of seed stewardship in Turkey. They also manifest the incredible diversity and richness of kitchen traditions, flavors, texture, and colors of food crops, among other traits, in the country. Tomatoes are native to South America. According to Prof. Arif Bilgin's archival research, tomatoes appeared at farmers' markets during Ottoman Empire's reign as early as 1692. Despite the fact that, their history in Turkey is relatively new, they quickly became a stable food crop across the country. Tomatoes are used in various ways in Turkey. You can find some of these ways below:
    • Grilling
    • Making sauces and paste
    • Stews and stuffing recipes
    • Making kebab
    In our catalog, we also offer Turkish tomatoes which were bred as part of commercial plant breeding efforts in the 20th century in Turkey. These seeds can be more commonly found at farmers’ markets across the country. It is still possible to find these seeds in Turkish commercial seed catalogs. However, many of them are also disappearing from these catalogs due to unacceptable seed laws and regulations that force farmers to become dependent on hybrid and patented seeds. Hence, it is also one of our goals to offer these now commercially rare Turkish tomatoes to pass on their genetically powerful traits that also acknowledge and intersect traditions. In addition, you will also find here the tomato seeds from our culturally appropriate plant breeding and seed selection efforts.
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    Turkish Watermelons (10)

    Browse and shop for Turkish watermelons. Some of these traditional watermelon seeds have been stewarded by small communities in specific regions in Turkey. Others have been grown in home gardens and homesteads widely across the country, generation upon generation. These Turkish watermelons reflect the significance of seed stewardship in Turkey. They also manifest the incredible diversity and richness of kitchen traditions, flavors, texture, and colors of food crops, among other traits, in the country. Watermelon is native to Africa, and it is a crop widely celebrated for so long in Turkey. Turkish watermelons come in various shapes, textures and flavors. They are a staple food crop across Turkey. Watermelons are mainly used for fresh eating in Turkey. In our catalog, we may also offer Turkish watermelons which were bred as part of commercial plant breeding efforts in the 20th century in Turkey. These seeds can be more commonly found at farmers’ markets across the country. It is still possible to find these seeds in Turkish commercial seed catalogs. However, many of them are also disappearing from these catalogs due to unacceptable seed laws and regulations that force farmers to become dependent on hybrid and patented seeds. Hence, it is also one of our goals to offer these now commercially rare Turkish watermelons to pass on their genetically powerful traits that also acknowledge and intersect traditions. In addition, you will also find here the watermelon seeds from our culturally appropriate plant breeding and seed selection efforts.
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    Turkish Peppers (32)

    Browse and shop for Turkish peppers. Some of these traditional pepper seeds have been stewarded by small communities in specific regions in Turkey. Others have been grown in home gardens and homesteads widely across the country, generation upon generation. These Turkish peppers reflect the significance of seed stewardship in Turkey. They also manifest the incredible diversity and richness of kitchen traditions, flavors, texture, and colors of food crops, among other traits, in the country. Although pepper (Capsicum annuum) is native to Mexico, it became a staple food crop in Turkey over the last few hundred years. Peppers are used in the country's cuisine in various ways some of which are listed below:
    • Grilling
    • Frying
    • Fermenting
    • Making sauces, pepper flakes and paste
    • Stews and stuffing recipes
    • Making kebab
    In our catalog, we also offer Turkish peppers which were bred as part of commercial plant breeding efforts in the 20th century in Turkey. These peppers can be more commonly found at farmers’ markets across the country. It is still possible to find these seeds in Turkish commercial seed catalogs. However, many of them are also disappearing from these catalogs due to unacceptable seed laws and regulations that force farmers to become dependent on hybrid and patented seeds. Hence, it is also one of our goals to offer these now commercially rare Turkish peppers to pass on their genetically powerful traits that also acknowledge and intersect traditions. In addition, you will also find here the pepper seeds from our culturally appropriate plant breeding and seed selection efforts.