Greek Cuisine is The Elixir of Longevity - 10 Greek Foods Should Try

 

Greek cuisine is famous globally for its exceptional ingredients, long-standing culinary knowledge, and diverse flavor blends. Talented chefs have upheld this distinctive culinary tradition over the centuries.

The innovative approach of Greek chefs to traditional Greek cuisine has made a lasting impression on international events. Their creativity and dynamic techniques have led them to experiment with unusual combinations of high-quality ingredients, breathing new life into ancient recipes.

Read on to learn more about Greek cuisine, which has become one of the world’s most celebrated high-culinary destinations due to its incredibly exciting yet elegant culinary experience.

Culinary Influences in Greek Cuisine

Greek cuisine is known for its delicious flavors that reflect the country’s cultural and culinary heritage. While Greek cooks have used herbs like thyme, oregano, basil, and mint for hundreds of years, they also incorporate spices that come from the Byzantine legacy introduced by immigrants from Asia Minor.

The country’s diverse cuisine is a result of immigration, with various recipes influenced by a complex culture. Some examples include keftedes (savory meatballs), soutzoukakia (meatballs in tomato sauce with cumin), atzem pilaf (lamb with rice), and a range of rice dishes.

The Amazing Health Benefits of Greek Cuisine

Undoubtedly, the Greek diet is very healthy. It includes many appetizers and entrees that are rich in vitamins obtained from vegetables, fruits, and fish. It is incomplete to discuss Greek food without highlighting its health benefits. Greek cuisine, like in Ancient Greece, emphasizes vegetables, making it suitable for vegetarians. Meat dishes are typically served separately from the main dish. While modern Greek cuisine includes more meat dishes, proteins can still be obtained from beans, seafood, and other lean sources.

Local Cuisine: Crete – the elixir of life

Explore the enchanting culture of Crete, a Mediterranean island boasting a fascinating history, breathtaking landscapes, and welcoming inhabitants. Moreover, Crete is gaining recognition for its exceptional cuisine, offering visitors an unforgettable gastronomic journey.

When you arrive in Crete, you will be greeted by a delightful aroma of herbs like oregano, thyme, rosemary, and dittany mixing with the salty air from the seas. This will lead you to embark on a tantalizing culinary adventure.

Local Cuisine: Macedonia

Macedonia is a paradise for nature lovers, offering a wealth of treasures. The region boasts lush orchards abundant with Edessa cherries and rolling hills adorned with divine white wines. Grevena offers delicious mushrooms, while Florina’s sweet peppers are known for their unique flavor. In the north, you can find top-quality game, tasty sausages, savory pastirma, rich soups, and stews that perfectly complement the delectable red xinomavro.

Local Cuisine: Ionian               

With influence from Venetian occupation over the past four centuries, the Ionian Sea region offers a diverse array of culinary experiences. Corfu, in particular, is known for its popular dishes such as pastitsada. This is a stew made with beef or cockerel, served with pasta and flavored with tomatoes and hot paprika.

Instead of buying trinkets as souvenirs from your Ionian holiday, consider taking home some of the local flavors that will bring back memories. For instance, you could get Zakynthos’ peppery ladotyri cheese and nougat or Lefkas’s lentils and salami, which would make excellent gifts for your loved ones.

Local Cuisine: Aegean

The Aegean Islands are a famous group of islands known for their unique terrain shaped by sunshine, sea, and cool winds. Each island has its own microclimate that produces exclusive goods only available in that location. The most famous are Santorini and Mykonos. The Cyclades islands have a distinct appeal not just for tourists, but also for culinary enthusiasts who visit the islands to learn about and appreciate Greek cuisine. 

The restaurants in the Cyclades islands are highly respected by food enthusiasts worldwide and frequently appear in prestigious international rankings. Their unique dining experiences artfully combine gourmet cooking with genuine local tastes.

Local Cuisine: Epirus, Thessaly, Peloponnese

When you travel to the northern region of Thessaly, you can experience the delicious and mysterious local cuisine. This area is known for producing organic vegetables and great charcuterie from small producers, which offers a unique taste that you won’t find anywhere else.

Epirus, located to the west, is a mountainous region that is renowned for its exceptional cuisine. The pies, which were originally made by nomadic farmers and shepherds, are a testament to this reputation. These pies are made by combining simple ingredients such as cornflour, oil, butter, wild herbs, and a pinch of cheese, showcasing the best of rustic cooking.

Explore Peloponnese and savor its delicious produce, such as the oranges from Laconia’s orchards and the citrus used to enhance sausages and stews in Mani. The Argolid area also produces excellent artichokes, which are highlighted annually at the Iria festival.

Famous Greek Dishes to Taste

1. Bougatsa

Bougatsa is a delicious dessert made with phyllo pastry and semolina custard. It’s popular in northern Greece but is gaining popularity throughout the country. If you buy it from a roadside vendor, it will be sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon to enhance its flavor.

2. Dolmadakia (Stuffed Grape Leaves)

The ever-popular Dolmadakia is a great example of the masterful and multifaceted Greek cuisine. These tiny dolmades are made from stuffed grape leaves and usually include a rice stuffing with ground lamb or beef (and sometimes both).

This delicious dish is usually served as an appetizer and is best enjoyed with lemon wedges. For an even better taste, you can pair it with tzatziki or plain yogurt.

3. Greek Fava 

This delicious vegetable dish, comprising yellow split peas, is a customary food in Greece, and is especially favored on the Greek island of Santorini.

This dish is perfect as a starter for a winter day, as it has a creamy texture and delicious flavor. You can try the Fava as an appetizer or dip, and it’s best served with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. You won’t be disappointed when you try this heavenly dish.

4. Greek Salad (Choriatiki)

An authentic meal must include Greek salad, which is made up of tomatoes, olives, cucumber, onion, and a large piece of feta cheese, all dressed with olive oil.

To enhance the taste of your dish, consider adding a sprinkling of vinegar or salt. And, for an extra kick, don’t forget to add oregano. This salad is not just great as an appetizer, but also makes a delicious side dish.

5. Gyros

Gyros are a tasty meal option that is also budget-friendly. The key to making a good gyro is to roast the meat vertically.

However, adding pita bread and delicious toppings such as sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, and potato chips is necessary to complete this scrumptious dish.

6. Keftedes (Meatballs)

Try out the delicious combination of tender texture and crispy exterior in the Greek meatball known as Keftedes. While it’s commonly served as an appetizer with pita bread and a creamy sauce, it also makes a delectable main course when paired with basmati rice and feta salad.

7. Moussaka

You can find this dish in almost all tavernas across Greece. It is made of tender minced beef cooked in a tomato sauce, served with eggplants and topped with a luxurious béchamel sauce.

8. Souvlaki

Souvlaki is a popular street food in Greece that consists of seasoned meat combined with tzatziki sauce, which is beloved by many.

Souvlaki is a Greek dish that typically involves skewered meat, such as pork or chicken, and may also include a wrapped chicken gyros inside pita bread. In Greece, locals use the term “Souvlaki” to refer to any type of this dish, but they can tell the difference between the different flavors based on the type of meat used.

9. Spanakopita

The timeless dish, Spanakopita, is a classic Greek spinach pie known for its exceptional flavor and versatility. It is made using savory ingredients such as feta cheese, butter, olive oil and more, and can be enjoyed at any time of the day.

10. Tzatziki

To make this delicious dip or sauce that comes in many variations created by home cooks, you will need thickened strained yogurt, some garlic and olive oil, and fresh dill for added flavor.

Although this classic Greek condiment may involve several ingredients, it is surprisingly easy to make and adds a lively touch to any gathering.