history of greek food

The names of foods, cooking methods, and basic ingredients have changed little over time. Breakfast was eaten just after sunrise and consisted of bread dipped in wine. Bread, olives (and olive oil), and wine constituted the triptych of the Greek diet for many centuries, just as they do today. A Brief History Of Greek Dancing. Often young girls and boys would be employed to entertain guests with music and dance. Wine is one of the major ingredients of Greek food, and a major participant in the Greek food history. When you’re next in Greece, or even at your local Greek restaurant, try something new – you might find a new favourite food. History of Moussaka. Generally, they ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an occasional snack. Greece's climate is perfect growing for olive and lemon trees, producing two of the most important elements of Greek cooking. Written by GreekBoston.com in Ancient Greek History Comments Off on Overview of Ancient Greek Cuisine. Gyro is the poster girl, so to speak, of Greek fast food, even though it may or may not be 100% Greek. Younger Greek’s who live in major cities often have larger dinners at night and eat a lighter lunch. Ancient Greece was a patriarchal society and this was reflected in how the meals were served. Greece definitely had a large influence on Australian cuisine. Many ingredients used in modern Greek cooking were unknown in the country until the middle ages. To a large degree, vegetarian cuisine can be traced to foods and recipes which originated in Greece. These traditions have been handed down from generation to generation but there are some changes that are starting to emerge. Note about hummus: Hummus is a Middle Eastern dish with an association to Greek food only because it appears on the menu in many Greek restaurants around the world... brought there by restaurateurs catering to local tastes. Once admin approves your comment it will then be listed on the website. Introduction to Latin Caribbean Culinary Tastes, Spain's Food and the 6 Different Culinary Regions, Where to Buy Greek Foods and Ingredients Online. Greek people thought food separated people from gods: people cooked their food and ate it, but gods lived on smoke and nectar from sacrifices. The Greek diet consisted of foods that were easily raised in the rocky terrain of Greece’s landscape. Wine was a part of Greek agriculture and was a major part of Greek food. The trade route not only introduced various cultures to the people of Greece, but it also brought in the knowledge of various commodities that were being traded off, spices being the major one. notice.style.display = "block"; This blog is dedicated to exploring Greek food and culture, the Mediterranean lifestyle, and traveling Greece. Pieces of bread could also be used to spoon food or as napkins. Food historians agree that Ancient Greek Cuisine is something that influenced culinary traditions throughout the world. The meals were simpler than meals served at a symposium. Lunch often consisted of cheese, fruits and vegetables, eggs, or fish. Time limit is exhausted. Epiminondas – Ancient Greek Statesman from Thebes, All About Pausanias – Ancient Greek Geographer and Traveler, Learn About Nikos Kazantzakis – Popular Greek Novelist. Milk was used for cheese production. In fact, Athena’s gift was selected by the people of Athens as being the best over Poseidon’s gift, which was the gift of water. Greek food has been around for many centuries and is one of the first cooking styles to ever be recognized. These are the foods that form the base of the traditional Greek regimen, to which they add both variety and nutrition. fifty four Although the Greek diet has lots of fatty olive oil, the fat in olive oil is unsaturated, meaning it doesn’t clog up your arteries in the same way that butter or lard does. This shows how important olives were to the people of Ancient Greece. The first cookbook in history was written by the Ancient Greeks. Required fields are marked *, (function( timeout ) { Supper was the main meal of each day. The wine culture established by the Ancient Greeks has heavily influenced our wine culture of today. - ABS CBN News, 2013. After ancient Greece had ended, Byzantium replaced it. A resident of Greece, Nancy Gaifyllia is a cook who writes about the country's regional specialties. The Greeks did not have any eating utensils, so they ate with their hands. Wine cultivation was at its peak in the Homer times and improved as the tradition was passed on in the family. After ancient Greece had ended, Byzantium replaced it. The Greek diet consisted of foods that were easily raised in the rocky terrain of Greece’s landscape. display: none !important; Greek cooking offers an incredibly rich and diverse array of foods and beverages that are the culmination of literally thousands of years of living, cooking, and eating. Greek food is simple and elegant, with flavors subtle to robust, textures smooth to crunchy, fresh and timeless, nutritious and healthy. In fact, the men actually ate first and the women needed to wait until the men were finished. Greek cuisine is known for being both simple and tasty. Food History in Greece can date back to 350 B.C. Greek Seasoning. It has a surprisingly long and, pun intended, rotating history. kingsnews.org © 2016. Spices, garlic and other herbs such as oregano, basil, mint, and thyme are widely used, as are vegetables such as eggplant and zucchini, and legumes of all types. Comments Off on Overview of Ancient Greek Cuisine. Fruits and nuts were eaten as dessert. Fish was the main source of protein in the Greek diet. Greek food is famous for its strong flavours, but it’s also known for being one of the healthiest diets in the world. Bread was often used to scoop out thick soups. The history of Greek food is fascinating! Greek gourmands craft their own special recipe, as does just about every Greek family. To a large degree, vegetarian cuisine can be traced to foods and recipes which originated in Greece. Guests would recline on couches while low tables held food or game boards. Time limit is exhausted. It was eaten near sunset. With 20 percent of Greece made up of islands - and no part of the Greek mainland more than 90 miles from the sea - fish and seafood are a popular and common part of the Greek diet. Spanakopita, a spinach and cheese pie, is another well-known example of kolatsio. As seen above, there have been many influences to Greek Cuisine from history monuments, such as the Roman War and extension of the Greek Empire. Olive trees were important crops in Ancient Greece. Italy is known for its spaghetti and pizza. From basic ingredients, to top quality dishes that is globally consumed. Vineyards cover much of Greece's hilly terrain and the country has become known for its array of fine wines and spirits, most notably ouzo, an anise-flavored liqueur that is the national spirit. Also, the fact that many products are grown locally, and the dishes are still fairly simple, yet executed to perfection. We’ve collected many Greek recipes over the years from Greece and family members, and we’re still learning as we go! Back then, the people usually mixed wine with water to produce a thinner drink to accompany meals. Contact Us:  Suggest a Site - General Comments, See Our New Picture Site Crossroads Home Decor. The Greek diet has changed very little throughout history. Raw or preserved olives were another common appetizer. As well as this, Greece got some new vegetables to experiment with! Sample them in a traditional Greek dish along with a glass of ouzo. Greek Wine. The gyro as we know it more or less today first arrived in Greece in 1922, with the hundreds of thousands of Greek and Armenian refugees from Asia Minor (present-day Turkey). Preparing and enjoying Greek food, anywhere in the world, is an adventurous journey into the cradle of civilization and the land of the Gods of Olympus. On the other hand, Australia cuisine consists of a diet high in protein because foods such as steak and chicken are consumed. Generally, they ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an occasional snack. Steeped in history and lapped by the Mediterranean sea, Greece is home to some of the finest ingredients in the world. While each Greek meal is fresh and inviting, it is also a trip back through Greece's history. ISBN 0-7271-0287-7. In some instances, Australian cuisine can be similar to Greek cuisine because common Greek ingredients such as yogurt and bread are used. But how has Greek food managed to remain so healthy? It was watered down; to drink it straight was considered barbaric. History of Greek food For many centuries, Greek cuisine consisted of four main ingredients; bread, olives, olive oil, and wine. It is believed that the decline in wine cultivation in the country began under the Ottoman empire. The tasty food attracted many people, and the Greek food industry grew in Australia. Some information from Greekfood.about.com shows us the influence of Greek cuisine. Beef was very expensive, so it was rarely eaten. Think about how Greece has so much water around it! Share the post "Enjoy A Taste Of History Greek Food Culture", Your email address will not be published. Olive oil became highly prized and was traded to other countries. There’s evidence that the Greeks were producing red, rose, and white wines – the same basic types of wines that are produced today. There are many differences between Greek and Australian cuisine. There were many different varieties, including pita, tsoureki, kalouria, and paximadi. Wine was a part of Greek agriculture and was a major part of Greek food. This segregation at mealtime is a reflection of the social order of the day. Posted by tour guide on Mar 18, 2015 in Culture, Greek | 0 comments. Please reload CAPTCHA. Bread was also used as a napkin to clean hands. Greece is a nation of small farmers who produce an incredible array of mainly organically produced cheeses, oils, fruits, nuts, grains, legumes, and vegetables, supplemented by an array of greens and herbs that grow in the wild. Figs, raisins, and pomegranates were popular. Men often gathered for dinner parties called symposiums. Over the millennia, Greek food diversified and absorbed neighbouring traditions, yet retained its own distinctive character. Pancakes, or tiganithes, were a popular breakfast and were made from wheat or barley flour, curdled milk, and olive. According to a Harvard study, the diet of the Greek island of Crete could be the healthiest in the world. Ancient Greek food depended a lot on fish and bread, olive oil and wine. .hide-if-no-js { They take a long lunch, much longer than those in the western part of the world. Fish was more commonly eaten than meat, as it’s more widely available. These days, we know Greek food for the salad, the cheese and the bread.