The cuisine of Greeks is basically based on the Mediterranean cuisine. The characteristics of the foods well-loved by Greeks are similar to that of the Levant, Balkans, and Italy cuisine. Most of the foods are cooked using herbs, vegetables, olive oil, fish, and various kinds of meats. Some of the most important are yogurt, courgette, eggplant, cheese, and olive. Wine is also part of Greece cuisine, as well as desserts dominated mainly by honey and nuts.
Characteristics of Greece Cuisine.
Since the ancient times, olive oil was used in most of Greek's dishes. It is a prominent ingredient in the different regions of Greece that gives foods a distinctive taste. Wheat and barley are grown in the country, but the locals prefer wheat as their basic grain.
The Greece cuisine consists of many vegetables like onions, green peppers, okra, green beans, potatoes, eggplant or aubergine, and tomato. Honey is also part quite popular but this product is mainly derived from nectars of citrus and fruit trees like bitter orange, orange, lemon, pine, and thyme.
The main difference between the Greece cuisine and that of the Mediterranean cuisine is the use flavorings such as mint, oregano, onion, garlic, bay laurel leaf, and dill. Some dishes are also garnished with persillade. Common spices include cloves, cinnamon, fennel, thyme, and basil.
Regional Greece Cuisine.
The cuisine is made up of several regional cuisines that are also taught in culinary school. This includes Kritiki or Cretan cuisine, Kypriaki or Cypriot cuisine, Ipeirotiki, Ionian Islands, Politiki, Macedonitiki or Macedonian cuisine, Pontiaki of the Pontians, and Mikrasiatiki by the refugees. Because of the country's terrain and climate, you will hardly find beef dishes. The Greeks grow cattle, sheep, and goats.
In the recent years, dining out has been very common. If you want to taste traditional home cooking and Greece cuisine, you should check out Estiatorio and Taverna. These places are quite popular among tourists and locals. Major fast-food chains can also be found all over the country and traditional foods are served in a different style including that of spanakopita, tyropita, gyro, and souvlaki.
Famous Greece Cuisine.
Wine and food goes hand and hand. This is common for the Greece cuisine. People love the amazing taste and good quality of dishes. The mezes or mezedes are basically appetizers. Before the main dish, Greeks serve appetizers that are accompanied with tsipouro or ouzo. Greeks love to share wine and food with friends in an unhurried environment.
Here is some of the famous Greece cuisine that is well-loved by locals and tourists:
- Tzatziki - this is eaten together with fried meatballs, fried potatoes or bread; made from cucumber and yogurt.
- Spanakopitakia - small pies from spinach with feta cheese.
- Saganaki - usually served with lemon, and is basically fried cheese.
- Briam - a mixture of eggplants, garlic, onion, olive oil, tomato sauce, and roast potatoes.
- Kalamarakia - fried squid served with lemon juice.
There are also famous main dishes in the country like Moussaka, Pastitsio, and Paidakia. Soups and salads are also part of the traditional dishes. If you want to try something new, you can experiment on the Greece cuisine.
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