HISTORY OF RAKI

Raki, which is indispensable for both sad and joyful tables, has been a favorite drink throughout history. Raki is a drink that can accompany you both when you sing songs at a crowded table and when you talk to a friend. So, where does the history of this drink come from, which accompanies a slice of melon or appetizers?

 

For the first time, where raki, whose origin is Turkey, was produced by whom cannot be determined by documents. It is only accepted by all countries of the world where raki was first produced on the Ottoman territory. In the 5th century, the presence of a raki-like drink was identified in the Eastern Roman Empire. In the 11th century, it was learned by the Turks and brought to Anatolia and Rumeli by people of Bektashi origin. Raki’s history in Anatolia dates back 300 years, which is a word that the Greeks received when they were under Ottoman rule and comes from Turkish. During the Ottoman rule, it is possible to find a variety of raki in all the lands around the Mediterranean; ouzo, arak, rakija, sambuca, pastis, etc. According to a rumor, raki gets its name from the Razaki grape, which was made at that time. According to another rumor, it comes from the “arak” in the palm root, where it was made again. The other rumor is that the word “arak”, which means sweat and perspiration in Arabic, according to some historians, means that raki is distilled from here by condensing, that is, in other words, distilled from retorts by sweating.

 

Since Muslims were forbidden to own alcoholic enterprises, alcoholic enterprises were operated by non-Muslims. Raki was maximum consumed in these taverns. Turkish Raki and Greek Raki Ouzo (ouzo) are very similar. As a difference, the anise variety in Turkish raki is less, the alcohol content is higher. The name Ouzo originated when the Greeks on the island of Chios called the raki “Use of Sultan Only”.

 

According to Evliya Çelebi’s travelogue, raki producers in the Ottoman Empire were called Arakçıyan artisans. Raki continued to be produced and consumed throughout history, despite the fact that it faced great prohibitions in the Ottoman Empire.

In Turkey, raki is the national drink that is traditionally consumed by side with chilled water or mixed in part with chilled water. Raki is seldom consumed without adding water. Ice cubes are added frequently. Water dilution causes a milky white color of the raki. Because of this phenomenon, the drink was popularly called aslan sütü (‘lion milk’), since the term “lion” is a metaphor for a strong, courageous Turkish person, the term “milk for the strong” has a meaning that goes hand in hand with it.

 

Raki, a variety of hot and cold appetizers and a raki table (rakı sofrası), is usually consumed alongside meze, either prior or in place of a full meal. In combination with cool arugula, feta cheese, and melon, it is popular with seafood especially. It is also a popular complement to various red dishes such as kebabs, where a glass of şalgam is sometimes also served.

 

 

Aslı Diken

 

 

 

 

References

Tokuç, S. O. (2019, October 17). RAKININ TARİHİ. Gastromanya. https://gastromanya.com/rakinin-tarihi/

Wikipedia contributors. (2021, April 27). Rakı. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rak%C4%B1

Müdürü, B. (2021, February 20). Rakının Tarihi ve Tarihi Rakı Markaları. Bar Okulu. https://www.barokulu.com/raki/rakinin-tarihi-ve-tarihi-raki-markalari

Snapshots: Our ideal winter sun holidays. (2020, November 17). [Photograph]. Le Collectionist. https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/snapshots-winter-sun-holidays

Greece cafe. (n.d.). [Photograph]. Pinterest. https://tr.pinterest.com/pin/509821620322074642/