What to Buy in Datça

Datça's 'Nurlu' almond variety received geographical indication status in 2023 under registry no. 1504, following an application by the Mugla Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It is harvested in August, about fifteen days later than other almond varieties. The shell is hard; the kernel is larger and sweeter than common varieties.

• A nut rich in vitamin E, magnesium and fibre.
• Contains plant protein and monounsaturated fats.
• Keeps for months in its shell in a cool, dry place.
• Also sold as almond paste, sugared almonds and shelled kernels.

Olive trees growing on the peninsula's rocky, windswept terrain yield small but intensely flavoured fruit. Pressed cold after the November harvest, early-harvest oil is greener, more peppery and richer in polyphenols.

• A source of monounsaturated fats and vitamin E.
• The base fat of Mediterranean cooking, for both cooking and salads.
• Store away from light, in a dark bottle and a cool place.
• Check the harvest year and the 'extra virgin' label when buying.

The thyme, sage and wildflowers covering the peninsula's slopes make excellent forage for bees. Thyme honey is distinguished by its sharp, faintly resinous aroma; wildflower honey is milder and lighter in colour.

• Buying direct from the beekeeper tells you the source and flora.
• Crystallising over time is natural and not a sign of spoilage.
• Honey should not be given to infants under one year old.
• Sold both in the comb and strained.

Thyme and sage grow wild on the stony slopes of the Datça peninsula; in summer you can smell them simply walking along the road. Both have been used for centuries as kitchen herbs and brewed as tea.

• Thyme is used with meat, vegetables and olive oil dishes.
• Sage is traditionally drunk as a hot infusion.
• Thyme oil and thyme water are also widely sold locally.
• If pregnant, on medication or with a chronic condition, consult your doctor.

Made from the milk of goats grazing freely on Datça's hill country, this is a small-scale cheese far removed from industrial production. Every producer has their own recipe and ageing time; fresh and salt-matured types are sold separately.

• Contains protein, calcium and B group vitamins.
• Contains less lactose than cow's milk cheeses.
• Serving it with olive oil and thyme is the local custom.
• Bring an ice pack to keep it cold on a long journey home.