A beautiful scent and a great disinfectant
Turkish cologne known as ‘Kolonya’ in Turkish has been a treasured symbol or Turkish hospitality and health since the Ottoman Empire.
This sweet scented cologne is made from ethanol, alcohol and different aromas. During the Covid Pandemic this cologne is used as a hand disinfectant and kills more than 80% of germs.
Traditionally though, this cologne is sprinkled on the hands of guests as they enter homes, hotels and restaurants. It’s used after a meal to refresh the hands or as people gather for religious services.
There are many different scents including lemon (the original), jasmine, tobacco (is doesn’t actually smell of tobacco), lily, lilac, lavender, amber, Japanese cherry blossom, mandarin and many more.
These beautiful bottles of scented cologne have become very popular souvenirs to foreigners and during the Covid pandemic, sales have soared due to the colognes antibacterial properties. Lemon cologne normally includes at least 80% ethanol whilst other common scents include more than 70% ethanol.
Cologne also has a different scent associated with different regions of Turkey. You will find the Golden drop (Altin damla) for Izmir, Citrus flower of Antalya, Tea cologne of Rize, Tobacco cologne of Amasya and Olive cologne of Ayvalik.
The first Turkish cologne was produced by Ahmet Faruki during the Ottoman Empire in the first years of the reign of Abdul Hamis II. It was rose water that first made an appearance in the Ottoman Empire as the main scented liquid. However, in the 16th Century the newly discovered cologne made its way to Turkey. It was then that rose water lost its primary spot.
By 1920, Eyup Sabri Tuncer started producing cologne out of a small shop in Ankara. He would start out by giving customers free sample bottles and informative leaflets. Eyup Sabri Tuncer still remains as one of the most popular brands in the sector of cologne.
The production of cologne is four simple ingredients (ethyl, alcohol, water and fragrance) they are mixed together to create the final product. The alcohol used in cologne is specially produced through the fermentation of starchy substances such as grapes, barley or potatoes. The ethyl alcohol is mixed with distilled water until reaches the necessary levels, the fragrance is then added. It must then rest in a tightly sealed container for between 7 and 10 days. It’s then transferred to ready to use plastic or glass bottles.
Cologne is not only a great refresher for the skin it’s also used to treat headaches, dizziness, fainting and brilliant if sprayed on insect bites to stop the annoying itching. These days it also serves as a great cleaner and disinfectant.
You can find cologne for sale in all supermarkets, pharmacies and spice shops across Turkey, from small plastic sprays to high end beautifully decorated glass bottles. The best high end line of cologne is Atelier Rebul that was established in 1895. This brand offers cologne in chic bottles with unusual fragrances such as lemon grass and honey, amber, jasmine, rose, magnolia, fig, lavender, verbena and ginger and green tea.
Other popular brands of cologne include Duru, Selin and Taris.
At modern hotels and venues cologne can be found in bathrooms as a traditional yet modern touch for the guests to experience.