12.10.2026 22:21
Gani Şahin, who migrated from Antalya to the high parts of Konya, produces carob molasses using traditional methods on a plateau at an altitude of 1,800 meters in the Taurus Mountains. Stating that demand for the molasses, consumed together with Bozkır tahini, is quite high, Şahin said that buyers for his products are already ready and that he cannot take new orders. The producer explained that he uses 3.5 to 5 kilograms of carob to obtain 1 kilogram of molasses.
Gani Şahin, who produces carob molasses using traditional methods at an altitude of 1,800 meters, has faced intense demand. It was reported that the molasses prepared on the plateau in the Taurus Mountains found buyers while still in the production stage.
CANNOT KEEP UP WITH ORDERS
Gani Şahin, who migrates from the Manavgat district of Antalya to the Taurus Mountains every year, produces carob molasses in Taşkesiği Plateau, on the border of Konya's Bozkır, Ahırlı and Yalıhüyük districts. After Eid al-Adha, Şahin goes up to the plateau with his animals and processes the carobs he brings from the coast using traditional methods, turning them into molasses. Stating that there is intense demand especially for carob molasses consumed with Bozkır tahini, the producer said that the buyers of his products are known in advance and that he cannot take new orders. The production Şahin continues on the plateau also keeps alive the region's traditional food preparation methods.
FIRST CRUSHES, THEN BOILS IN CAULDRONS
Preparing carob molasses requires a rather laborious process. The carobs brought from Manavgat are first crushed and broken into pieces. Then the carobs, left in water in special tanks, are kept for a certain time and then boiled in cauldrons. Gani Şahin described the production process as follows: "We bring the carob from Manavgat and boil it in the Taurus Mountains. Carob is very beneficial for asthma, bronchitis and anemia. First we crush the carob; after crushing, we soak it at noon and continue boiling the next morning. The carob molasses boiled in this way is completely organic."
1 KILO OF MOLASSES IS OBTAINED FROM 5 KILOS OF CAROB
The amount of molasses obtained in traditional production varies according to the quality of the carob used. According to the information provided by Şahin, approximately 1 kilo of molasses is obtained from about 3.5 kilos of quality carob. When the quality of the product drops, approximately 5 kilos of carob are needed for the same amount of molasses.
SPENDS THE SUMMER ON THE PLATEAU, THE WINTER IN MANAVGAT
Gani Şahin lives on the plateau during certain periods of the year and in Manavgat during other periods. After Eid al-Adha, the producer goes up to the high areas with his goats, chickens and geese, and returns to the coast around November. Şahin described the area where he lives as follows: "We are currently on the Taşkesiği plateau at an altitude of 1,800 meters. Bozkır, Ahırlı, Kuruçay are also within this plateau. Akseki village remains a little further below us, and we continue our lives in this way."