Using of Weeds as Food in Eastern Anatolia Region

Abstract

Several herb can grow naturally thanks to climate and geographical features of Turkey. Although there are approximately one million weed in the world, there are still many unidentified weeds. While more than ten thousand weeds are used as a food, only 3000 weeds species are cultivated in Turkey. Eastern Anatolia region is one of the most important regions of Turkey in terms of consuming weeds. The rate of endemic plants is higher in this region, most of them are important economically, because they can be used as a medicinal plants, spices, ornaments, dyes or food. Not only these are utilized as raw or cooked food but also flavorant.