Wild Strawberries (Koca Yemiş) in Turkey 2024-2025
Unlike usual strawberry, this rare type grows only in the mountains, on a strawberry tree
Best time: November–December
How do you feel about strawberries hanging on the tree's twigs? Wild strawberry trees are native to the mountains of the Mediterranean region. They are found in bloom for almost the whole year, except winter time when they finally bear the unusual fruit, rather different from what we generally know about strawberries. Its scientific name is Arbutus unedo, and the Latin word "unedo" literally means "I eat only one". This might imply it's so delicious that one berry is enough to indulge oneself, or conversely—it could refer to its acquired taste that can't be called sweet actually, but rather fig-like.
The fruit is sold in the street mainly during November and December. You'll find it at local markets, particularly in the coastal cities. Just make sure that you purchase the wild Mediterranean mountain strawberries, and not anything else. These look somewhat similar to lychees, as you might see from the pictures. The Turks name this fruit Koca Yemiş or dağ çileği.
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