Kars is renowned for its rich cheese-making tradition. Credit: Alex Strohl
AN AGING CRAFT
Nestled on a high plateau in eastern Anatolia, Kars is a tapestry of rugged landscapes, historical landmarks, and cultural traditions. Typifying what it means to travel holistically, the city promises to offer something for all the senses—but perhaps none more so than taste.
With its fertile land and quality cattle, Kars has long been synonymous with cheese-making. Travelers can indulge in the flavors of its renowned cheeses on a tour of a family-run dairy farm or over a traditional Turkish breakfast. Regional favorites include Kars gravyeri (local gruyere), with its nutty yet sweet flavor, and Kars kaşarı (Turkish aged hard cheese), which is known for its odor and tang and identified as a Geographical Indication.
To learn more about the technical processes and artisanal techniques associated with cheese-making, travelers can visit the Kars Peynir Müzesi, Türkiye’s first cheese museum. Here, local cheesemakers have a chance to showcase their customs and knowledge—not only for visitors to delight in but for the next generation of artisans to maintain.
With its fertile land and quality cattle, Kars has long been synonymous with cheese-making. Travelers can indulge in the flavors of its renowned cheeses on a tour of a family-run dairy farm or over a traditional Turkish breakfast. Regional favorites include Kars gravyeri (local gruyere), with its nutty yet sweet flavor, and Kars kaşarı (Turkish aged hard cheese), which is known for its odor and tang and identified as a Geographical Indication.
To learn more about the technical processes and artisanal techniques associated with cheese-making, travelers can visit the Kars Peynir Müzesi, Türkiye’s first cheese museum. Here, local cheesemakers have a chance to showcase their customs and knowledge—not only for visitors to delight in but for the next generation of artisans to maintain.
