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Spicy, garlicky, intensely flavored Turkish breakfast spread
In season: Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 tablespoon (medium) of Garlic cemen (20 g) has 64 calories. That works out to 320 calories per 100 g. It contains 4.2 g of carbs, 1.7 g of protein, 4.4 g of fat and 1.3 g of fiber. Its 0.1 mg of Manganese covers 5% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 35 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Selected: 1 tablespoon (medium) · 20 g
64
KCAL / 20G
Carbs
4.2g
· 2% DV
Protein
1.7g
· 3% DV
Fat
4.4g
· 6% DV
Fiber
1.3g
· 5% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 27% · Protein 11% · Fat 62%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 64 kcal | |
| Total fat | 4.4 g | 6% |
| Saturated fat | 0.76 g | 4% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 190 mg | 8% |
| Total carbohydrate | 4.2 g | 2% |
| Fiber | 1.3 g | 5% |
| Protein | 1.7 g | 3% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon (medium) | 20 g | 64 kcal |
| 1 teaspoon (small) | 7 g | 22 kcal |
| 1 slice (thin) | 15 g | 48 kcal |
| 1 slice (thick) | 25 g | 80 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 30 g | 96 kcal |
| 2 tablespoon (large) | 40 g | 128 kcal |
| 1 piece (large) | 50 g | 160 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 320 kcal |
| 1 pack (medium) | 100 g | 320 kcal |
Calculated from 320 calories per 100 g.
Garlic cemen is a bold Turkish spread made with garlic, fenugreek and spices, often with pepper paste and oil. It is commonly served at breakfast, while a similar cemen mixture is also used as the coating on pastırma.
Garlic cemen tastes savory, garlicky and distinctly spiced, with fenugreek adding an earthy, slightly bitter note. Pepper paste can bring warmth or heat, so the exact flavor varies by recipe; try a small amount before spreading it generously.
Spread garlic cemen thinly on bread or serve it as a dip with crisp vegetables. It is also used sparingly in sandwiches; its intense garlic and spice flavor can overwhelm delicate fillings, so pair it with milder ingredients.
No, garlic cemen served as a spread is not the same thing as the coating used on pastırma. Both may contain fenugreek and spices, but the pastırma mixture coats cured meat, whereas breakfast cemen is prepared to be eaten as a dip or spread.
Garlic cemen is usually made from garlic, ground fenugreek, pepper paste and spices, with oil used to bring the mixture together. Some versions include walnuts or other ingredients, so recipes and packaged varieties can differ.
Mix crushed garlic with ground fenugreek, pepper paste and spices to make garlic cemen, then add oil gradually until it reaches a spreadable texture. Let it chill before serving so the flavors blend; adjust the seasoning to suit your taste.
Garlic cemen goes well with bread, flatbread, cheese, olives and fresh vegetables. You can also add a little to grilled meat or a sandwich, but serve it alongside mild foods because its flavor is concentrated.
Keep garlic cemen in a sealed, clean container in the refrigerator, and use a clean utensil each time. Homemade versions vary in how long they keep because recipes differ; discard it if its smell, appearance or texture changes noticeably.
Yes, you can use garlic cemen as a seasoning for sandwiches, grilled foods or savory fillings. Add a small amount first, since heating can intensify its garlic and spice notes and the mixture may already contain plenty of salt and oil.
Yes, garlic cemen can be frozen in small airtight portions, although its texture may become less smooth after thawing as the oil separates. Thaw it in the refrigerator, stir it well before serving and avoid refreezing it.
Vitamins
B6
0.06mg · 4% DV
Vitamin E
0.54mg · 4% DV
B1
0.03mg · 3% DV
Biotin
0.7µg · 2% DV
Minerals
Sodium
190mg · 8% DV
Manganese
0.12mg · 5% DV
Copper
0.04mg · 4% DV
Iron
0.62mg · 3% DV
Potassium ⭐
62mg · 2% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 64 calories in 1 tablespoon (medium) (20 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
Garlic cemen is a boldly seasoned Turkish spread made with garlic, fenugreek, pepper and, in many recipes, tomato or pepper paste. Its spice blend is reminiscent of the aromatic coating used on pastırma, though recipes for the spread vary from kitchen to kitchen.
In Turkey, it is commonly spread thinly on bread at breakfast and served with cheese, olives and tea; it also works as a punchy table spread alongside other small dishes. It is rich in flavour and provides both fat and fibre, so a little goes a long way. Pair it with fresh tomato and cucumber for a lighter, more refreshing bite.
Medium
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
NOVA 3
Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
No known major allergens
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
0.76g
MONOUNSATURATED
1.5g
POLYUNSATURATED
1.58g
Omega 6:3 ratio 21:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (21:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.