Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

I have looked in 4 supermarkets on the east side for saffron,but other than the very expensive Shwartz stuff (4 strands for 40tl-dearer than the UK!).
I used to able to buy it in the little packets from the spice section in Erdener,but now the only thing I can find are safflower strands,which are a poor substitute.
I thought saffron was grown in Turkey-does anyone know any specialist spice shops here that might stock the Turkish stuff?
The other thing I cant find are dried barberries,they are little red berries about the size of dried cranberries,and are used extensively in middle eastern cooking-I think the local name might be 'Zereshk' which is the same as the Persian name.
Any help would be appreciated.

I never found Zereshk in TRNC. However, I did find them in the spice bazaar in a Istanbul.
I was lucky because my son brought zereshk and saffron for me from a Dubai. I was always dubious about getting real saffron in the spice bazaar.

I used to buy saffron from the old closed bazar in Nicosia but not been back there since they re-built it, will have a look for you next time I head that way! I always remember how cheap it was compared to the little bits I could get in the UK!

I buy mine from a guy in Famagusta Pazaar (he also comes to Yenierenköy) they call themselves MELTEM Baharatari Tel no 0533087507240 Maybe they go to other Pazaars. He speaks pretty good English. He maybe can also get you the Barberries

Thanks for the help-I am going to Antalya soon and they have a couple of big markets there-if not I will try the guy in famagusta.

amberbaris - barberry, berberis, berberry
sarıçalı - barberry, berberry, berberis

Berberis is the Latin name and we know it by that in Germany - you could grow it here

Saw Saffron in Erulku tonight. The spice and sweets counter, opposite the Olive counter.