14.02.2026 13:51
In the Ayvalık district of Balıkesir, the cone syrup prepared by women using traditional methods is boiled over a wood fire for 8 hours through a laborious production process that lasts 4 days before being bottled. Cone syrup is considered a complete "healing reservoir" with its properties that support immunity and relieve respiratory pathways.
The pine cone syrup produced by women using traditional methods in the Ayvalık district of Balıkesir is prepared by boiling for 8 hours over a wood fire in a 4-day process.
IT TAKES 4 DAYS TO MAKE, BOILED FOR 8 HOURS
The pine cones collected fresh and green from the pine forests by the members of the Ayvalık Production and Marketing Cooperative are cleaned one by one by rubbing them with sliced lemon in water and are left to soak with the water changed for three days.
At the end of the third day, the pine cones are boiled, initially for 4 hours over a wood fire. During this time, the pine resins that rise to the surface are filtered out.
After the boiling process, the pine cone water is left to rest for a day. The next day, natural molasses is added to the filtered essence, and the mixture is boiled for another 4 hours. The cooled syrup is filled into 500-gram glass jars and offered for sale with the cooperative label. The product finds its buyers at sales points owned by the municipality and online.
"WE CLEAN THE PINE CONES BY RUBBING THEM WITH LEMON IN WATER FOR 2 DAYS"
Canan Alsunal, one of the founding partners of the Ayvalık Production and Marketing Cooperative, stated that the fresh pine cones collected from pine trees are carefully cleaned before being prepared for boiling.
Alsunal, who mentioned that they bring the collected green pine cones to the cooperative kitchen, said:
"Here, we clean the pine cones by rubbing them one by one with lemon in water, continuously changing the water for two days. On the third day, we put in a sufficient amount of water and start boiling the pine cones. While boiling, we filter out the pine resins that accumulate on the surface and boil for 4 hours."
"THE PRODUCTION PROCESS TAKES A TOTAL OF 4 DAYS"
Alsunal noted that they let the boiled pine cones rest in their own juice for a day.
Alsunal explained that the pine cone water is left to rest for another day to filter it, saying, "The next day, we add natural molasses back into the pine cone water. We boil it for another 4 hours over a wood fire and then proceed to cool and package it. The production process of pine cone syrup takes a total of 4 days. We bring this healing drink to our consumers."
BENEFITS OF PINE CONE SYRUP
- Relieves symptoms of diseases such as asthma and bronchitis
- Acts as an expectorant, reducing complaints like cough and sore throat
- Strengthens immunity
- Eliminates harmful substances that can cause toxicity and inflammation in the brain
- Regulates oral flora and helps with dental and gum problems
- Calms and supports the resolution of insomnia problems
- Soothes and rejuvenates the skin
- Provides energy
- May support hair health
- Has blood-thinning properties
- Helps lower high blood pressure
- Pine cone syrup cleans harmful free radicals