Ottoman Strawberry



The first information about strawberry has been transferred by botanist Tillius who lived between 23 and 79 years AD. Strawberry flourishes in France and begins to increase its cultural value in the following years. The ottoman strawberry, which is unique to Karadeniz Ereğli, is also called as the foods and drink of the kings. It was first planted in Karadeniz Ereğli in the 1920s.the strawberry brought to the Karadeniz Ereğli from İstanbul region in these years entered into a process of interaction with the other strawberry which is a local culture and as a result a gentle and aromatic strawberry called Ottoman Strawberry emerged.

The first state-credited canning factory of Turkey was established in Karadeniz  Eregli in 1930 Upon the vast production of Ottoman strawberry. In the 1960s, the production of the Ottoman Strawberry in Karadeniz Eregli reached to the advanced stage and got famous its name throughout the country. The production of Ottoman strawberry goes into a great decline after 1960's.

Following information has been contained on the corporate website of Azim Canning Factory, which was founded in Eregli in 1930. “Ottoman Strawberry has derived from the European type Arnavutköy strawberry. The flower of this strawberry came to Hasan Pasa at the beginning of 1930s and the strawberry got its original structure in the chestnut soil of our district. It has become the world's unique and sole strawberry with its pink color, medium oval appearance, rich aroma and exquisite smell. For the first time Paşa's carter Mustafa has handled it. Our Ottoman Strawberry, whose production started with Kahyaoglu Kadir and Greek partner in the foothills of Kestaneci Village (Kestaneci Neighborhood), became the first source of revenue for the local people for a long time and it has become a gift that we can proudly present on our foreign visits. Our Ottoman Strawberry provided the establishment of one of the first canning factories of our country named Azim Canning factory in our Karadeniz Eregli.

Today, more than 500 families in the Karadeniz Eregli still make their living from the production of Ottoman Strawberry.

In seasonal normals, the Ottoman Strawberry which started to give its first fruit in late May and early June does not give fruit anymore towards the end of June. Being a delicate structure, the Ottoman strawberry requires a great deal of maintenance and it is picked up by the producers with great care in the early hours of the morning, and immediately sold within 1-2 hours. Because of the open-air life of the picked strawberry is between 15-20 hours it has to be consumed immediately. It is given importance in Karadeniz Eregli for the Ottoman Strawberry's survival and its spreading to the wider segment by making jam from it.

"International Ottoman Strawberry Culture and Art Festival" is held by our municipality during the strawberry season. Prize competitions organized to promote strawberry productiveness in this festival.