The Istanbul Spice Market, historically the largest spice trading venue, remains a key attraction for food tours due to its exotic offerings. While it continues to draw visitors for authentic goods, the presence of souvenir stores diminishes its traditional charm. The document emphasizes the importance of shopping from long-standing vendors who specialize in specific products to ensure quality and authenticity.

2. Istanbul Spice Market, once the largest spice trading
venue of the medieval world, with its abundant stalls still
featuring piles of edible exotics is a definite highlight for
anyone exploring Istanbul and a favorite stop during my
Istanbul food tour. As with all the touristic highlights you
need to be prepared to fetch some fantastic finds and not
to fall for any of the catches.

3. What Spice Market is … And What It is Not
It is mind-boggling to think that life and trade have been bustling under the high
domed roof of the Istanbul Spice Market for the past 350 years. A few centuries ago
it was a marketplace for goods brought from Egypt (hence the other name of the
market – Egyptian Bazaar) that included spices, medicinal herbs, aromatic incenses,
fragrant essential oils and such. With the possibly the same range that dragged
merchants of the Western world to buy goods imported from the East back then it
still attracts city visitors looking for Iranian saffron, Indian curry, Chinese flower tea,
Turkish delight, Russian caviar. Foreigners coming to buy foreign goods – that’s what
the Istanbul Spice Market has always been about.

4. Unfortunately, things change and I personally get upset when I see shops at the
Istanbul Spice Market emulating Grand Bazaar souvenir kiosks let alone outlets of
local apparel brand – their presence so does not fit the spirit of this old food
marketplace. And I get equally upset when I see people buying dubious spice sets
or anonymous lokum not knowing how to tell a good stuff – and in that way
supporting mediocre vendors.
To the extent to which demand can shape supply I hope that I can contribute to
better, more authentic Istanbul Spice Market by sharing some insider tips on
where to shop and how to do it right. If you want to find out what exactly to buy
here is top 5 istanbul food items you can’t leave without.

5. Where to Shop at the Istanbul Spice Market
Good shops at the Istanbul Spice market share two common features. One is that
their business was conceived decades ago at that very little shop you see at the
Spice market and has gone way beyond: many have become renown trademarks in
Istanbul. Second commonality is that they specialize on a particular product
category. Specialization is a very visible feature in the whole Istanbul food business
and at the local markets you will never find a reputable vendor selling pastirma
next to the Turkish delight or caviar next to the dried fruits and nuts.