Salgam

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What is Salgam?

Schalgam, actually Şalgam Suyu ("turnip juice"), is a non-alcoholic, sour and spicy drink made from vegetables that are lightly salted. The drink is particularly popular in the city of Adana and southern Turkey as an accompaniment to spicy dishes. However, it is widespread throughout Turkey and is also consumed as a soft drink and with other dishes (mostly meat).

Şalgam traditionally consists of the juice of fermented red turnips, now often mixed with the juice of beets and carrots, and is mainly produced in private households or family businesses. To do this, the chopped vegetables, similar to sauerkraut, are subjected to lactic acid fermentation after adding yeast, salt, sometimes chickpeas or garlic and water and the liquid is then strained.

Şalgam is served cold in a glass, sometimes with pieces of fermented beets. Şalgam sellers usually keep a hot and a mild version in stock so that the customer can choose. Industrially manufactured Şalgam is now part of the standard range in Turkish supermarkets.