Sütler

Sütler is a term that generally refers to dairy products in Turkish. This encompasses a wide range of items derived from the milk of mammals, most commonly cows, sheep, and goats. Key examples of sütler include milk itself (süt), yogurt (yoğurt), cheese (peynir), butter (tereyağı), and cream (krema). These products form a significant part of the Turkish diet and culinary traditions, used in both savory and sweet dishes.

The production of sütler in Turkey has a long history, with traditional methods often passed down through generations. Yogurt, in particular, holds a prominent place, consumed daily as a standalone item, a side dish, or an ingredient in various foods like ayran (a yogurt-based drink) and cacık (a cold yogurt and cucumber dish). Cheeses vary widely by region, from soft white cheeses like beyaz peynir, commonly found in breakfast spreads, to harder, aged varieties. The diversity of sütler reflects the agricultural landscape and the cultural significance of dairy farming in Turkey.