In the historical Uzun Bazaar in Hatay, production of the registered flavor ‘kombe’ continues

Dessert shopkeepers in Hatay’s historic Uzun Bazaar continue to make kombe, which is registered with a geographical indication

In the bazaar, where many shops were destroyed in earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaras on February 6, 2023, dessert makers whose businesses survived or had their repair work completed bring Hatay’s kombe, which was registered with a geographical indication certificate in 2022, to their customers.

The kombes, which are prepared in 4 types: walnut, sesame, date and pistachio, with 7 different spices added to the dough, are baked in stone ovens.

Kombe is a preferred dessert by shoppers as a holiday cookie.

Sahap Fansa, a dessert seller in Uzun Bazaar, told an Anadolu Agency reporter that the demand for kombes is intense.

Stating they rolled up their sleeves to meet the demand, Fansa said, “Even though we are heartbroken due to the earthquakes, we continue to make kombe. Kombe is one of the important desserts of Hatay.”

Shopkeeper Mehmet Tanriseven stated they worked hard during the holidays and said, “In the last days of Ramadan, the smell of kombe used to emanate from our houses. Houses and businesses were destroyed in the earthquakes. We, as bazaar shopkeepers, have taken on the task and are preparing the boilers. Our fellow citizens also buy our boilers from us.”

Source: Newsroom & AA