Poor on the list, strong in the economy: Apricots generate 450 million dollars in revenue with exports to 112 countries
In Elazığ, the Baskilliler Association has reacted to a website ranking 'kaymaklı kayısı' (apricot with clotted cream) 59th on its list of the '100 worst foods in the world.' Association President Aygün Çam emphasized the importance of this delicacy, native to the Malatya and Elazığ regions, and stated that they would continue to produce and consume it. Noting that apricots are exported to 112 countries annually, bringing approximately 450 million dollars into the country, Çam opposed the inaccurate assessment.
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In the 'worst foods in the world' list published by TasteAtlas, a site featuring authentic food lists and considered one of the prestigious platforms in the gastronomy world, 'kaymaklı kayısı,' native to the Elazığ and Malatya regions, was ranked 59th with a score of 2.7. The inclusion of kaymaklı kayısı among the worst foods was met with a reaction from the people of Elazığ. The Baskilliler Association also reacted to the list by serving kaymaklı kayısı, made by placing clotted cream in the center of a dried apricot and drizzling it with strained honey. Association President Aygün Çam stated that the inclusion of kaymaklı kayısı—which delights the palate with its taste and appeals to the eye with its presentation—on the list means nothing to the local people, and pointed out that dried apricots, produced primarily in the provinces of Malatya and Elazığ and exported to 112 countries, provide an annual revenue of approximately 450 million dollars to the country.
''THE LIST HAS NO MEANING FOR US''
Making statements on the subject, President Aygün Çam said, ''When you think of Baskil, you think of apricots. We know that both the province of Elazığ and the province of Malatya meet a large portion of not only Turkey's but the world's apricot production. There is an export of apricots to approximately 112 countries. As a result, this provides an income of 450 million dollars to our country. The topic we will address today is the designation of kaymaklı kayısı as one of the '100 worst foods in the world' by TasteAtlas, the world's largest gastronomy platform. When we saw this on social media and news agencies, we wanted to express our sadness. We prepared our kaymaklı kayısı and served it. Its inclusion in this list determined by TasteAtlas as one of the 100 worst foods in the world really has no meaning for us. We will continue to produce and eat apricots. This product, which is a bite-sized treat with cream and honey, is one of the sweetest and most beautiful foods according to our palate in Turkish cuisine and those living in the region. In this statement we are making here, we would like to state that we find this regrettable,” he said.