Apricots have always played a role in Nisan’s life. She was born and raised in Malatya, in Eastern Anatolia — the region is the largest apricot producer in Turkey, and the production of fresh and dried apricots is one of the main sources of income for its residents, including Nisan’s family. Nisan is the middle child, with two older and two younger siblings. She describes herself as the most quiet member of her family — but when required, the most vocal. Her childhood memories often involve food, specifically apricots: her siblings and she would compete to see who could fit 30 apricot seeds into one dried apricot.
