Locals carefully harvest the top layer of fresh snow—ensuring it hasn't touched the ground—and serve it in bowls as a refreshing, natural dessert. It is particularly popular in the highland ( yayla ) cultures of southern and central Turkey. Karlı Pekmez - Nefis Yemek Tarifleri
In recent years, due to extreme summer heat, the summit has occasionally seen its snow completely melt. When this happens, local shopkeepers humorously call out their debtors, claiming that the "impossible" condition has finally been met. Culinary Tradition: Karlı Pekmez Erciyeten Kar
It consists of clean, "virginal" snow collected from high altitudes, which is then drizzled with thick grape or mulberry molasses ( pekmez ). Locals carefully harvest the top layer of fresh
Historically, Mount Erciyes was known as the "mountain whose snow never melts". Legend tells of a clever local merchant who borrowed money from a traveling trader, promising to pay him back once the summit was clear of snow. When this happens, local shopkeepers humorously call out
Because new snow would typically fall before the old snow fully disappeared, the "melting" never truly happened, allowing the debtor to postpone payment indefinitely.