Tempo Catalkoy - Pork Shop

[butterfly]

surprised.....just popped into Tempo Catalkoy and they have installed a huge Pork Counter, looking good, ham looked lush!!!!

[brianc]

Went on Friday to Tempo in Catalkoy for the opening of their delicatessen department and a restaurant.
Was impressed with cheeses , real Turkish butter, meats, fish ( other Russian product ) etc in the delicatessen!

I believe there is no need to go to the South to buy these things any more!

[jayceebee]

Is this the same in other Tempos?

[Deniz1]

One in the eye for the Pork Butcher just down the road. Shame, big boys against the small ones.

[sophie]

Deniz1, that was my immediate reaction. What a shame for the independent butcher. I hope it doesn't mean his business folds in a few months. As to Tempo as this end, I haven't seen anything in the way of a pork butchery and I was in there early part of this week. But then we have the pork man in Alsancak.

[jayceebee]

Will this undercut Bells prices one wonders?

[Deniz1]

I find Bells a bit pricey any way. As pork is only produced in small quantities here it will always be expensive I think. But the quality is good.

[jayceebee]

Bells are a bit pricey...but they do have goodies in that one can enjoy from time to time as you can't get them anywhere else.

[Deniz1]

I would like to know where the pork comes from. Is it imported from the greek side if yes its illegal.

[Bert]

I have lived in Saudi Arabia for 20 odd years and you think you have problems getting the "Flat Nosed" Beef as we call it. looking forward to being to get at it readily LOL

[cyprusishome]

The owner of Pork Shop in Alsancak grows his own locally.
I may be wrong but I believe a lot of meat sold in restaurnts etc comes from the south and probably a lot of other produce.

On a rare trip to other side, on return a car was pulled over by customs and the boot was full of cans of soft drinks in big plastic wrap cases. Obviosuly commercial and certainly weird.

[sophie]

Do you grow animals? I thought there was another expression for livestock. Has the Pork Shop man opened another shop on the East side or has someone else started to breed pigs as well has the chap at our end.

[laptatony]

Interesting but why do they cut the rind off, I love the crackling. The deli was impressive though !

[cyprusishome]

Sophie I grow my pigs alongside the haggis, they look well together in a pen!!!!!!!

[Deniz1]

The Alsancak shop has opened another branch in Catalkoy. He is the only pig breeder on the north side thats what makes me think it is brought over from the greek side.I will ask but I am sure they wont admit to it.

[Rambling Rose]

Now here I have to make a confession. I have been rambling on the when in Rome theme and the joys of the food of the country , - and I am not all that bothered about pork - then someone mentioned cheese.! What really has me drooling and homesick is the thought of a nice slab of Stilton , or Wensleydale or Caerphilly - in fact any decent English cheese or a French one. ANYthing except the endless varieties of Cheddar and undefinable "blue cheese" always under offer. Anyone notice what sort of cheeses they had?

[cyprusishome]

RR
Check out Starling, Lapta. The Deli counter has a selection of cheeses we have never seen before here. Had a very nice Smoked Cheese other day. Nothing too exotic but given a demand who knows what might arrive. Wensleydale, you have got me drooling over wake up coffee!

[sophie]

Oh for Lancashire, proper Cheshire, or any white crumbly cheese. I know we shouldn't harp on about "what we have in UK" and be grateful for what we can get here, but I have to be honest and say I'm getting a bit browned off with all this Dutch stuff perporting to be English cheese. I loathe Edam, Gouda etc!!

[Deniz1]

I agree cheese shaped soap most of the time.

[CatalkoyChris]

Rinse the pork first before you cook it as there will be sun lotion on the pigs to stop burning

[Rambling Rose]

Checked Tempo out this am and was disappointed! Seemed to me they were aiming (and not very well at that!) at those wishing to impress by serving "gourmet" foods rather than expats suffering a twinge of homesickness at the thought of a Melton Mowbray pork pie, or some tangy crumbly English cheese! They DO have a very ripe Blue Stilton and a French Brie. Otherwise they were varieties of Turkish cheese (three of four kinds of beyaz peynir) and several I had never heard of but presumably Italian by the names. They do have goats and sheeps cheeses for anyone interested.

However I was pleased to realise there was a source of Tempo bread this side of Girne. I find their breads and rolls tastier and last longer than many of the local breads - particularly their sliced Rye Bread and the lovely litttle round white "rolls" they make.

[PoshinDevon]

At the end of the day when in Rome.......

I can well imagine that a craving for a pork pie does come on now and then but if it means turning the place into Little Britain then more than happy to go without.

Sacrifices have to be made and adapting to the excellent choice of local produce that is available is the way I would look at it.

I do like a good Stilton tho'

[Soner]

Every time I am out in Cyprus I crave for a Steak and Kidney pie, dunno why as I only have it about 3 times a year in the UK. Prefer Pukka's to Peters'

[PoshinDevon]

I find that an ice cold Efes with a small bowl of salted peanuts, sea view and sunset helps cravings go away.

Will let everyone know in a couple of weeks if it still works!

[carolhm]

Soner you can get pukker pies here now , they are frozen and a bit expensive but if you crave one while your here pop down to one of the stores and grab one

[Philoz]

If its pies you are after Uppercrust do great steak pies-on a par with any in the UK.
I am sure the owner would do a snake and kidly by request.
Personally,if there Is some thing I really miss from back in Blighty, I either try to make it myself(yes - believe it or not they have all pie making ingredients here!!)or I over-indulge when on a return visit to UK.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that....

[Rambling Rose]

Its all very well you saying that Posh, but you are not here full time . I, and I think judging by theother thread, most here do eat and appreciate local produce most of the time and I certainly wouldnt want all the shops to sell English food. But it is only natural to appreciate and miss some of the better things from one's native land. I don't go out of my way to get them (I dont shop in the South for example) but if and when I find them I appreciate them - perhaps all the more because they are a rare treat.

[PoshinDevon]

RamblingRose

Appreciate we are not living out there full time (Yet) and fully understand the cravings for something from home...that is only natural.

However; we have lived as residents on the island for a total of 11 years in a previous life so we do understand why people miss the things from back here in the UK. At the time we were residents there was much less opportunity to find those things from home that we all love...in the end we like most people at that time looked forward to visitors coming out and bringing the odd treat. No visitors meant that we had to do without.

I am not saying it is a bad thing that it is now easier to find a nice pasty, pie or piece of cheese as a reminder of home, I have no doubt I will pop into a few places that have been recommended on this forum and see for myself. Having been to Spain and spent a few days in Benidorm, I would be disapointed if things in North Cyprus went the same way. Its very easy for a relatively small state such as the TRNC to be turned into Little Britain.

Just my opinion and of course I respect yours because we are all different.

[Rambling Rose]

I dont think we are so different on this matter, Posh. I am usually the one who is screaming my head off about people trying to change this country into little Britain! I just dont think enjoying the occasional taste of home is that harmful! Its a matter of degre.

I well remember- I could go on about it for hours - when I first came here relying on visitors for treats - and not just food, newspapers and magazines from "home" were passed on and on til they fell to bits. And, although of course good things sometimes balance out the others, I actually preferred it as it
was then!

However, perhaps it is not little Britain we need worry about as I see from another forum that the new facility is very popular with Russians, so perhaps the feeling I had that it was not really targeting the British expat market and the lack of English cheeses is explained!!!!!!

[brianc]

I have sent this letter to Cyprus Today but do not think they will publish it .
I would like to share this with you.

NO NEED TO TRAVEL TO THE SOUTH ANY LONGER!

ONE OF OUR BETTER KNOWN SUPERMARKETS ( TEMPO) HAS NOW ON OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF DELICATTESSEN PRODUCTS MAINLY FROM SPAIN BUT ALSO FROM RUSSIA. WE HAVE SAMPLED MANY BUT FAR FROM ALL.

THE RUSSIAN PRODUCTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM OTHER SMALLER SUPERMARKETS i.e. BEKTAS , SUPREME, HURDENIZ etc.
THOSE TASTED HAVE ALL BEEN VERY ENJOYABLE, RUSSIAN CAVIAR AND SMOKED SALMON SPREAD - DELICIOUS AND NOT EXPENSIVE AS ITS NAME MAY SUGGEST.
SPANISH CHORIZO, WONDERFUL!
PICKLED HERRING AGAIN FROM RUSSIA, ONLY RECENTLY A NEW TASTE FOR ME BUT NOW AN ESTABLISHED FAVOURITE.

WHAT TOOK MY EYE WAS 1KG PACKS OF DIFFERENT SHELL FISH, PRESERVED IN BRINE , ONE INCLUDED LOBSTER MEAT !
GREAT FOR THOSE SPECIAL OCCASIONS OR A PRIVATE INDULGENCE !

THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF COOKED MEATS AND SAUSAGES FROM BOTH COUNTRIES, ALL INVITING EATING EXPERIENCES.
AND THERE IS MORE !!!

A FRESH MEAT COUNTER WITH BEAUTIFULLY PREPARED AND PRESENTED CUTS OF PORK, ALL AT GOOD PRICES THAT MAKE A TRIP ACROSS THE BORDER UNECESSARY.
IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE THERE WILL EVEN BE HOME MADE ENGLISH STYLE PORK PIES , SAUSAGE ROLLS AND OTHER SAVOURY DELIGHTS FROM MY HOME COUNTRY !

[solic200]

When a thread like this appears everyone is happy to pass on the news about how good it is, but they never state the price of the product, which would be of great help to people if they live miles away.
I can not however agree that you no longer need to shop in the south for meat,( pork 4.50 euro a kilo) as its still double the price on this side, and you can not be sure that it has been prepared in the most hygenic environment, or killed humanely.
Take a trip to the Lapta Belediye slaughterhouse in the early hours & you will understand.

[Rambling Rose]

Sounds as if I will be coming to your for advice on what to buy and how to serve it Brianc! I was rather confused by some of the unfamiliar items.

Do you think there is any chance they will get some English (or French) cheeses?

What about parma ham? (though actually I think that is Italian). Lovely with melon ("sugar" or "honey" not "water") so could be combined with a local product.

[Deniz1]

They have parma ham also serrano which is spanish but similar.

[andrew4232]

in my opinion serrano is a lot nicer than parma

[dippersgirl]

solic2000
I am not at all sure that the South are better in looking after their animals!!
Last year I read an article about water shortages and a Greek Cypriot pig farmer complained, that he did not have enough water for his 5000 pigs!!!!
Historically it's even worse. Dipkarpaz was wholly populated by Greek Cypriots. Every house had a pig sty. They are so small, an adult pig would not be able to turn around. They have a tiny, tiny window and a very small door. They are smaller than their outdoor toilets. I don't know if they ever let them out of these holes.
I can sometimes hear a pig now, but I never see one. I have a few Greek neighbours, who are very friendly but they get their pork from the South. they have offered to bring me some, but I'm not sure.

[BLUE BUTTERFLY]

Apparently the Maronite people, on this side, are permitted to farm pigs.