Avocado is a fruit of Mexican origin and its history dates back to 10 thousand years BC. Also known as alligator pear, this fruit has an oval shape similar to a pear. Avocado, which draws attention with its rich nutritional values, is a fruit grown in tropical climates and is now grown successfully in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey.
AvocadoToday, it has become one of the indispensable fruits of the search for healthy nutrition and exotic taste. However, the adventure of this nutritious fruit in the Ottoman Empire is full of many interesting details. Avocado, which was first grown in the Ottoman lands at the beginning of the 18th century, caused great controversy over time and was even criticized by some groups. “sin” It was seen as such and was banned. In this article, we will discover how avocado was banned in the Ottoman Empire, how its trees were burned, and why the story of this fruit is so interesting.
The Origin of Avocado and Its Introduction to the Ottoman Empire
Avocado originates from the south of Mexico and is known to date back to 10 thousand years ago. It attracts attention with its pear-like oval shape and nutritional content. With the increasing interest in the Ottoman Empire, especially from France, in the 17th century, this tropical fruit found its place as a cultural innovation. However, the first efforts to cultivate avocado in the Ottoman Empire date back even further.
born in 1688 Molla Kamil EfendiHe was one of the pioneers in the field of agriculture and farming in the Ottoman Empire. Although he is known as a religious scholar, his interest in positivist sciences has taken him on a different journey. Despite his family’s objections, he went to Rome and Paris to receive education, where he received training especially in the fields of vegetation and agriculture. When he returned to Istanbul, he started working at the palace as the chief gardener.
Molla Kamil Efendi’s most important scientific contribution of the period is known for his treatment of a disease that broke out in the tulip gardens of Istanbul in 1720. This success gave him “Halaskaran-ı lalezar” He gained the title and gained the appreciation of the palace. In addition, a land was allocated by Nevşehirli Damat İbrahim Pasha to carry out agricultural activities in Yalova.
Avocado Growing for the First Time in the Ottoman Empire
Molla Kamil Efendi, who started agricultural work in Yalova, decided to adapt the avocado, which he saw in France and liked very much, to the climate of Anatolia. As a result of long efforts, he successfully grew avocado in Yalova and presented the fruit to the palace. AvocadoIt was emphasized that it is beneficial and offers a delicious taste. Damat İbrahim Pasha introduced this exotic fruit to his tables, quickly making it a fashion item in the palace and among the elite.
However, avocados were prevented from becoming widespread among the public, and only members of the palace and the elite could benefit from this fruit. Although avocado quickly became popular among the upper classes in Istanbul, it was not a product accessible to the general public.
The Short-Lived Avocado Fad and Its Aftermath
Although avocado adorned the tables of the upper classes in the Ottoman Empire, this “fashion” did not last long. The Patrona Halil Revolt, which took place in 1730, was an important turning point in Ottoman history. The rebels killed Damat İbrahim Pasha and Molla Kamil Efendi, and according to a rumor spread among the public after these events, it was claimed that the avocado was a combination of “crocodile and tree”.
These rumors This caused avocado to be considered makruh in the Islamic world. and upon this fatwa, the avocado trees in Yalova were completely destroyed by burning. The obstruction of Molla Kamil Efendi’s scientific studies and efforts to grow avocados blocked the path of a modern scientist who struggled with the traditional thoughts of the period.
Return of Avocado to Turkey
Approximately 250 years after this scientific knowledge and developments were lost during the Ottoman period, we started to get to know the avocado again. Avocado production again in Turkey Towards the middle of the 20th century started and today it has started to be grown in large areas, especially in the Mediterranean Region. The nutritional properties and health benefits of avocado have still gained great popularity and managed to enter our tables today.
As a result, the short-term adventure of avocado in the Ottoman Empire has an important place as a historical, cultural and scientific heritage. This event is an important example of how interest in scientific knowledge and the cultural structure of society interact.
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