The Food And Wine Of Greece

It is diversity that awakens an interest in people to know more about something that is different from them. Each person belongs to a distinct group that has its own language, traditional beliefs, gastronomy and even music – all of which are parameters that aid in recognizing such group. For the Greeks, what makes them distinct is their long-standing love affair with food and wine, a practice they have inherited from their ancestors. In the past, food was not only for enjoyment and nutrition. In Ancient Greece, it was a habit for people to offer food to gods. In some instances where food was found to be disliked by the gods, these were rejected by the people as well. The growing popularity of Greece as a great holiday destination that also offers a myriad of great-tasting foods has made more individuals aware of the diverse selections of traditional foods enjoyed by Greeks. So, if you want to know more about Greek wine and foods, here are some delightful fares that you can hopefully try out.

Most Greek cooking uses top quality ingredients like olive oil, fresh seasonal vegetables and meats, such as lamb. The Greeks are known to use an array of great spices, meats and vegetables. Yet the good thing about this is that they have perfected the art of using just the right amount of each ingredient to ensure that individual flavors do not overpower each other. Similar to some other cultures, the Greeks believed that food can help some common ailments, such as Avgolemono which is a soup made from chicken broth, lemon juice eggs and rice. It is believed to help people recover from colds or to aid in fending off the common cold. Desserts are a popular course with many in Greece and Loukoumades is a main ingredient within many sweets dishes. Traditional honey puffs or Loukoumades is generally made from yeast, sugar, eggs, flour and nutmeg, while honey, sugar and cinnamon are used to garnish this type of sweet. Filo pastry is commonly used when making a famous traditional Greek dessert – the Baklava.

The Moussaka is another very popular Greek recipe. Moussaka is a Greek casserole dish that uses eggplants, potatoes, onion and red wine. A kind of meat can also be incorporated in this recipe, too. The Souvlaki is another Greek dish that also makes use of meat. Many tourists love this dish which resembles a kebab. Vegetables are also thoroughly loved by the Greeks and so plenty of fresh, seasonal vegetables are incorporated into meals as often as possible either as a side dish or as part of the main meal. A known Greek salad, the Horiatiki, is commonly used as a side dish of many main courses. Generally, when people think of salads, they immediately see lettuce with a selection of fresh salad vegetables and dressing. Greek salads are unlike regular salads particularly since Greek salads often use tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, feta cheese, olive oil and some seasoning when making salads. Greek salads seldom use lettuce. Another common side dish is the pita bread. It is usually served with a selection of dips, such as yoghurt, cucumber and garlic.

Together with food, wine is also greatly enjoyed by the Greeks, and it has been this way ever since the ancient times where wine was believed to be the drink of the gods. Within Greece there are over 300 different blends of Greek wine from red, white and blanc de gris varieties which are loved by locals and tourists alike. For instance, the Retsina, also known as white or rose wine, is quite popular. The Retsina is very appealing to most Greeks, but the tinge of resin in the drink makes it less popular with tourists. Red wines are generally very appealing to Greeks. Two of the more preferred reds are the Brusco, a dry red house wine, and the Xinomavro or acid black wine, which is a product of northern Greece. This is a popular wine as it ages well and provides a rich, woody flavor and aroma. Another famous wine is the Agiorghitiko, which is named after St. George. This grape generally grows in the Peloponnese region and it has a distinct cherry taste with a tinge of spice.

The Greek’s passion for food and wine cannot be denied. It is evident in their lifestyle and exceptional gastronomy. Greek gastronomy is not only about singular cuisine, but also about tradition and history. So, if you do find yourself in Greece, you will not only be filled with admiration about the nation’s history and culture, but you will also come to know and love Greek cooking.

By: Nicholas Kringas

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