Cooking and great food is an important part of Turkish culture. On every single street you will see several restaurants and street vendors, shops that try their best to provide you with fresh ingredients. But what if you are looking for more exotic ingredients? Where can you find exotic organic ingredients for your cooking in Istanbul?

1. Beşiktaş Aktarı located at Ihlamurdere Cad. 63
This lovely shops sell Chinese oolong tea, South African rooibos tea, South American yerba mate, black mustard seeds, licorice root, Indian garam masala, and even ginseng powder. They also sell dried fruit as well. Their staff mostly can speak English as well.

2. Macro Center
You can think of Macro Center as whole foods. It is organic, expensive, and has exotic ingredients. Here, you can find Japanese seaweed and soba noodles, Arab and Israeli couscous, honey mustard, black beans, lady gray tea, vegan cheeses, spinach linguini, goat’s milk ice cream, and sweet potatoes. Their wine collection is also quite nice. They have several branches all over Istanbul, but also they have a nice online shop.

3.Rani Peynircilik and Organik
This place is famous for its cheese collection, especially Parmesan. Their fruits and veggies selection are not to be ignored as well. Rani Peynircilik is located at Süleyman Seba No:60 in Beşiktaş. Rani Orgaink is located at Bilgi Sok. No:9 in Sarıyer. If you feel like it, check their website as well.

4. Balya Organic and Health Food Store located at Batarya Sokak, No.:16 near the Firuzağa Mosque.
This place is gluten free heaven. They also sell organic products and yerba mate tea.

5. Fresh Gurme Market located at Kalamış Fener Caddesi No: 32
This place is an ideal shop for vegans. They even have soy mayonnaise! While you are there, check their wine collection too.