Feb 8, 2018 | Culture, food, Gastronomy, Greece
Salted Fish is an ancient food. Salt has been sprinkled over food throughout the centuries and Greece is no exception. There are places in the world that derived their wealth from salt mining, and its use in Greece can be traced back to ancient times. It is unclear why and how the ancient peoples throughout the world started mining and using salt.
Back in Ancient Greece, however, salt wasn’t looked at as a common season. It was used sparingly, but over the centuries, its importance grew. By the 5th Century B.C., salt was regularly being used to preserve whole fish, and this is a practice that’s still done
. Here’s some more information as to how the Greeks used salt
Salt Was Considered a 
luxury
Back in Ancient Greece, salt was considered a luxury it
em, which is why it wasn’t used as the main seasoning in cooking back then. It was relatively difficult to obtain it, as most of the salt found in Ancient Greece was mined on the island of Salamis. Although it doesn’t seem like a great distance now, it was considerable during ancient times since it was shipped using boats before being it to the rest of Greece.
Salting Whole Fish
One of the earliest uses of salt was to use it to preserve fish. As mentioned above, by the 5th Century B.C., salted fish was becoming a staple food in Greece. The salted anchovies that were are so familiar with today were served even then! Whether Greeks salt the fish themselves or use canned and salted anchovies that they purchased in the store, these fish aren’t normally eaten as is. They’re usually rinsed with water and then marinated with olive oil, lemon juice, herbs such as parsley, and maybe a sprinkling of red wine vinegar. (more…)
Dec 20, 2017 | Culture, Greece, Wine, Wine Tour
Sunny valleys rich with volcanic soil, and a Mediterranean climate of mild breezes, Greece has ideal conditions for making wine. It’s no wonder that vineyards have been thriving there for thousands of years.
Despite its long history of grape cultivation, Greece was long overlooked by traveling wine connoisseurs. The country has finally begun to take its place as a world-class wine destination. Here are some of the top wine-tasting destinations to visit in Greece if you enjoy wine.
The region around Nemea is a classic destination for wine enthusiasts. The mountains and valleys create ideal climates for various grapes. Differences in elevation and direct sunlight bring out the many personalities of the local grape, called Agiorgitiko.
Vineyards at the bottom of the valley produce a strong, red wine. Those near the peaks, around 9000 feet, create some of the best wines. The most sought-after grapes grow in fields on the hills and moderate slopes.
You may want to visit the island in September for one of the most popular wine festivals in Greece, “Great Days of Nemea.” During this festival, people gather to enjoy the newest wine releases and to celebrate the harvest. While here, you can also enjoy local food specialties and tour parts of the region. (more…)
Nov 30, 2017 | Culture, Greece, Tours, Wine, Wine Tour
We have all heard that ‘an apple a day, keeps the doctor away’, but lately, more and more studies show that wine can bring many benefits to the body and make a significant contribution to maintaining our good health.
So how can wine help us when we drink it regularly, but in moderation? Let’s see it in detail!
1. LIVE LONGER!
It is known that in Ikaria people live longer than anywhere else in the world. Daily consumption of wine is part of a diet that can enrich the lives of those who follow it because it is less reliant on animal feed and more on plant foods. The inhabitants of Crete and Sardinia, known for their longevity, enjoy red wine almost daily, appealing to the main part of their anti-aging lifestyle. A 2007 study shows that procyanidins, the compounds found in tannins of red wine, contribute to the promotion of cardiovascular health. Wines produced from vineyards in areas of southwest France and Sardinia, where people tend to live longer, have particularly high concentrations of this compound. (more…)
Oct 31, 2017 | Culture, food, Greece
History
Ouzo has a special place in Greek cuisine and culture and it is an original Greek aperitif. In Greece especially, it is the perfect choice to accompany seafood delicacies in a seaside setting, with good friends. Tradition traces it back to 14th century Athonian monasteries, when by chance some monks mixed alcohol with anise.
Ouzo is a product with a protected designation of origin (PDO) within the European Union (EU). Initially, it was manufactured in the regions of Tyrnavos, and Kalamata, while at the end of the 19th century, Lesvos Island was the most famous nationally and internationally ouzo producer being the company of Plomari. There is a production of 7 million liters each year, of which 80% is consumed within Greek borders.
(more…)
Oct 1, 2017 | Culture, food, Greece |
Heraklion is a multifaceted seaside city and a major urban center. Come and discover the Heraklion of yesterday – the Venetian harbor and walls, ideal for a nostalgic walk through history. And the vibrant city of today – city squares and pedestrian walkways filled with energy, raki (the local drink), ouzo, gourmet restaurants, and luxury hotels.
Historical Museum of Heraklion in Crete
Along with these, several excellent museums and one of the largest aquariums in Europe. Just beyond the city limits, explore the much-vaunted Knossos, one of the most significant sights on the island and in Greece. It is the most important center of the Minoan civilization, the palace of King Minos, and the home of the myth of the Minotaur. (more…)
Aug 30, 2017 | Culinary Tour, Culture, food, Gastronomy, Greece
Discovering Greece’s Vegetarian Vegan Tastes
Greek vegetarian vegan tastes are simple, and when someone wants to sense their identity, then they need to visit Greece. If you’ve never walked under the warm and bright sun of Greece, sat under an olive tree, smelled fresh thyme, oregano, or sage, or experienced simplicity over complexity, then it would be difficult for you to sense and comprehend the superiority and uniqueness of Greek vegetarian vegan food, diet and lifestyle.
Greece’s bright blue sky, the serenity of its sea, and the fact that is at the crossroads of three continents have always attracted people from around the world, and even in ancient times great Mediterranean civilizations endeavored to establish political and economic dominance (or relations) with the Greek world. (more…)
