{"id":93,"date":"2024-05-02T23:58:09","date_gmt":"2024-05-02T20:58:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bahcivan1.parssoft.com.tr\/?p=93"},"modified":"2025-05-22T15:35:47","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T12:35:47","slug":"one-question-on-minds-mihlama-kuymak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bahcivanpeynir.com\/en\/one-question-on-minds-mihlama-kuymak\/","title":{"rendered":"One Question on Minds: M\u0131hlama? Kuymak?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>One of the most delicious representatives of the Black Sea region in our traditional cuisine, mihlama and kuymak are also the main subject of a small-scale debate. Made with corn flour and cheese, this food, which has become an indispensable part of breakfasts, has an indispensable flavor. So, what is kuymak? What is the difference between kuymak and m\u0131hlama? Are they the same or different foods? Let&#8217;s take a look at these questions about m\u0131hlama and kuymak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Difference Between M\u0131hlama And Kuymak<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We can say that the difference between m\u0131hlama and kuymak is actually a local difference. The difference between these two foods arises mostly from the way they are made and the ingredients used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We can list the main differences between kuymak and m\u0131hlama as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cheese Use:<\/strong> Unlike m\u0131hlama, kuymak can be made without cheese. In I\u011fd\u0131r, kuymak is made only with butter. In Artvin, on the other hand, the main ingredient of kuymak is local clotted cream. In Trabzon kuymak, minzi cheese or imans\u0131z cheese is used, while mihlama is made with Erzurum telli cheese. In this respect, m\u0131hlama is most similar to Trabzon kuymak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sifting the flour:<\/strong> Both kuymak and m\u0131hlama are made with corn flour. However, the trick to making mihlama is to grind the flour coarser than the corn flour used for frying fish. This is the only way to capture the unique aroma and texture of m\u0131hlama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Regional differences:<\/strong> Kuymak is widely made in Black Sea and Eastern Anatolian provinces such as Trabzon, Artvin, Ardahan, Kars and I\u011fd\u0131r. There are also kuymak recipes known by different names in different regions of the Black Sea. M\u0131hlama, on the other hand, is completely unique to Rize in both name and recipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The main ingredient: <\/strong>Another difference between kuymak and m\u0131hlama is the main ingredient used. Corn flour is used as the main ingredient in kuymak; it is the corn flour that gives kuymak its flavor. This is true even for Trabzon kuymak, where cheese is used. The main ingredient in m\u0131hlama, on the other hand, is cheese; the salt, flavor and consistency of the dish depends entirely on the cheese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Consistency difference:<\/strong> As mentioned in the previous article, there is also a difference in consistency between kuymak and m\u0131hlama. Depending on the cheese used, m\u0131hlama may be slightly denser than kuymak. Kuymak without cheese may have a harder or more fluid consistency depending on the ingredients used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Kuymak?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Kuymak is a dish unique to the Black Sea region. This dish, which is usually made with corn flour, butter and cottage cheese, is made with different cheeses in different regions. The most commonly used cheeses are kolot cheese, Erzurum telli cheese, Trabzon minzi cheese and imans\u0131z cheese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>kuymak, a Turkish word, is used in different provinces of Anatolia to refer to various dishes prepared without cheese. The name and recipe of the dish may vary from region to region; the most common uses are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Kuymak: <\/strong>Eastern Anatolian regions such as Trabzon, Erzurum, G\u00fcm\u00fc\u015fhane, Bayburt, Ardahan-Posof, the interior of Artvin, I\u011fd\u0131r or Kars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ya\u011fla\u015f\/a\u011fl\u0131 a\u015f:<\/strong> parts of Trabzon, Ordu, Sivas and Giresun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>M\u0131hlama or m\u0131hlama:<\/strong> Rize and coastal areas of Artvin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cumur, \u00e7umur or zumur:<\/strong> In some regions, it is the name given to kuymak made by crumbling stale corn bread instead of corn flour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ho\u015fmerim:<\/strong> In Rize, this is the name given to the muhlama made with clotted cream instead of butter. It should not be confused with h\u00f6\u015fmerim, a kind of cheese halva.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another common name in the Greek-speaking regions of the Black Sea region, especially Trabzon and Rize, is \u201cHavits\u201d (\u03a7\u03b1\u03b2\u03af\u03c4\u03c2). Kuymak is also known as \u201cElarji\u201d in the Megrelian region of Georgia; this dish is slightly different from traditional Turkish kuymak, as it is usually made with a mixture of corn porridge and cheese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are different guesses about the origin of kuymaki. One of them is that this food called havits, which Greeks have been making for centuries, may be the original form of kuyma. In addition, the presence of words such as kuyma in Old Turkish and qoymag in Mongolian suggests that this dish may have an older place in Central Asian culture. The fact that kuyma is also made in South Azerbaijan and Iran strengthens this possibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kuymak-like foods, which are consumed extensively in the Black Sea region as well as in the Caucasus, have a great place in the common cuisine of the Black Sea coasts and nearby regions. Regardless of its origin, this food, which we all love to consume, is among the main recipes that enrich our cuisine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kuymak Ingredients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Kuymak recipes may vary from region to region. The most traditional kuymak is made with the following ingredients:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"\" data-col=\"2\"><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>4 heaping tablespoons of butter,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>4 heaping tablespoons of corn flour,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2 cups of water at room temperature,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>300 grams of imans\u0131z cheese or Trabzon minzi cheese (Erzurum telli cheese or kolot cheese can also be used if you are going to make a muhlama),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>(If m\u0131hlama will be made) 1 tea glass of boiling water,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2 tablespoons of salt.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>To make Kuymak:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"\" data-col=\"2\"><ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>First, melt the oil in a copper pan if possible,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>After the oil melts, add corn flour and fry until the flour turns color,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>After the flour turns color, add cold water,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add your cheese and stir until it boils,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stop stirring after boiling,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When the kuymak bubbles over medium heat and the oil rises to the top, turn off the heat,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Serve before it cools down.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If all the ingredients are ready, you can start making kuymak &#8211; or m\u0131hlama:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"\" data-col=\"2\"><ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>First, melt the oil in a copper pan if possible,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>After the oil melts, add corn flour and fry until the flour turns color,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>After the flour turns color, add boiling water and mix well,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Once the oil shows itself, add the cheese and stir briefly.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which Cheese is Kuymak Made with?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to kuymak, the question \u201cwith which cheese is kuymak made?\u201d comes up. Although the popular flavor of the Black Sea region varies from region to region, it is most commonly made with Trabzon minzi cheese. However, it can also be made with \u00e7e\u00e7il cheese, Trabzon village cheese or &#8211; if none of these are available &#8211; directly with kashar cheese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike m\u0131hlama, the main ingredient in kuyma is corn flour; cheese is a secondary ingredient. Therefore, if none of the above cheeses are available, another cheese suitable for making kuymak can be preferred. The important thing is that the cheese should be stringy and melt easily. In some kuymak recipes, different types of cheese such as cheddar or toasted cheese can be preferred for this reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which Region Does Kuymak Belong to?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Kuymaki&#8217;s place in our cuisine is among the main reasons for a small-scale debate. Different regions claim that this delicious dish belongs to them. For this reason, the question \u201cWhich region does Kuymak belong to?\u201d is also wondered by more people. Although there are various types of dishes made with corn flour and butter in different regions of Anatolia, the Black Sea region is where the dish called kuymak belongs. In Eastern Anatolia, such as Kars and I\u011fd\u0131r, kuymak is also frequently made and takes its place on the tables as a local food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most common place where kuymak made with cheese and corn flour is made is in the eastern Black Sea provinces such as Trabzon and Artvin. Kuymak, which is generally made near the coastline, is also made in Georgia and various regions of the Caucasus. For this reason, we can easily say that kuymak is a Black Sea delicacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only Turks, but also Pontic Greeks, Laz and Hemshin people living in the Black Sea region make dishes similar to kuymak. Likewise, it is possible to come across kuymak-like dishes in different parts of Iran and Azerbaijan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since local kuymak cheese and different kuymak ingredients are used in kuymak recipes, it is possible to come across different recipes in different regions. For example, the Greek kuymak called havits is made with a kind of curd called kesmik. Moreover, some kuymak recipes use milk instead of water. Such regional and cultural differences reveal how rich a dish kuymak is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is M\u0131hlama?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It would be impossible to talk about kuymak and not talk about m\u0131hlama. Very similar to kuymak in terms of preparation and ingredients, m\u0131hlama is a dish made on the coastline of the Eastern Black Sea region. A corn flour and cheese-based dish, m\u0131hlama is indispensable for Black Sea breakfasts with its unique flavor. In recent years, mihlama, which is also served in restaurants and breakfast places all over our country, has managed to gain wide popularity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest difference between mihlama and kuyat is that the main ingredient is cheese. In kuyma, on the other hand, the prominent ingredient is corn flour. For this reason, mihlama is a slightly denser and saltier dish compared to kuymak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">With Which Cheese is M\u0131hlama Made?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Different types of local cheese can be used in the making of m\u0131hlama. It is essential to use the right cheese in order for the m\u0131hlama to be delicious and thick. Because the main ingredient of m\u0131hlama is cheese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most preferred cheeses while making m\u0131hlama can be listed as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Kolot cheese: <\/strong>Although different cheeses can be preferred when making m\u0131hlama, most recipes use local kolot cheese. This cheese, which resembles cheddar cheese, is made only from the milk of grass-fed animals. Produced from whole milk, kolot cheese is made by adding salt during the production process. A muhlama made from kolot cheese is ideal in terms of taste and consistency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Chechil cheese: <\/strong>After Kolot cheese, \u00e7e\u00e7il cheese is one of the most preferred muhlama cheeses. Chechil cheese, which is often confused with Erzurum string cheese, has a fattier structure. For this reason, it is preferred more than string cheese when making muhlama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Erzurum string cheese:<\/strong> Erzurum string cheese is a type of string cheese that is often used when making muhlama. This cheese, also called civil cheese, is made from skim milk. Erzurum string cheese is preferred because it melts easily, does not taste heavy, melts easily and has a stringy structure. However, it is not used as much as \u00e7e\u00e7il cheese due to its fat-free structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Kashar cheese:<\/strong> In the absence of the above cheese varieties, you can easily use kashar cheese to make m\u0131hlama. Kashar cheese, which is salty, melts easily and is oily, is ideal for making m\u0131hlama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which Region Does M\u0131hlama Belong to?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Often used synonymously, the words kuymak and mihlama are the names of a similar dish made in different regions. For this reason, the answer to questions such as \u201cWhere does M\u0131hlama belong?\u201d or \u201cWhich region does M\u0131hlama belong to?\u201d is often wondered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>M\u0131hlama is actually a type of food belonging to Rize and its surroundings. For this reason, m\u0131hlama is often called \u201cRize m\u0131hlama\u201d. Generally, in the settlements on the coastline of Artvin, it is also seen that kuymak is also called m\u0131hlama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We can define it as a slightly more localized form of kuymaka, and it is very similar to Trabzon kuymaka in terms of its preparation. The main difference between the two dishes is that cheese is more prominent and local Trabzon cheese is preferred. There are also some differences in flavor; due to the amount of cheese used, mihlama is a little saltier and denser.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One of the most delicious representatives of the Black Sea region in our traditional cuisine, mihlama and kuymak are also the main subject of a small-scale debate. Made with corn flour and cheese, this food, which has become an indispensable part of breakfasts, has an indispensable flavor. So, what is kuymak? What is the difference [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":730,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-93","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-curiosities"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bahcivanpeynir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bahcivanpeynir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bahcivanpeynir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bahcivanpeynir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bahcivanpeynir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=93"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/bahcivanpeynir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1975,"href":"https:\/\/bahcivanpeynir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93\/revisions\/1975"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bahcivanpeynir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/730"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bahcivanpeynir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=93"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bahcivanpeynir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=93"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bahcivanpeynir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=93"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}